I ask each of you for forgiveness from me, a sinner.
God forgives each of you, and I forgive you.
About Great Lent, I would just begin a discussion of this topic by clarifying that our practices are meant to be precscriptions for spiritual gain and not legalistically held. In other words, we fast as a means to an end, which is spiritual gain, not so we can be proud of how sucessfully we have fasted.
In brief, we fast for 40 days plus Holy Week leading up to Pascha. During this period of time we abstain from all meat and dairy products, as well as olive oil and alcoholic beverages on weekdays (the fast is lightened on weekends, allowing these to be consumed).
I have never heard of a "butter ceremony," but perhaps that is something done on Cheesefare Sunday, which is the final day dairy products are consumed before Great Lent. Our parish had a pancake brunch after Liturgy with lot's of cheese products and butter.
This is very brief, sorry. If you have any other follow-up questions please ask.
Basil