Lent

Lent is a special time for many Christians around the world, leading up to the celebration of Easter. It lasts for 40 days and remembers when Jesus spent time fasting and praying in the desert before he began teaching.

During Lent, many people give up something they enjoy. This helps them show devotion and remember Jesus's sacrifice.

Different Christian groups observe Lent in slightly different ways, but they all focus on prayer, fasting, and giving to others. Some traditions start Lent on Ash Wednesday, while others begin on Clean Monday. The last week of Lent is called Holy Week. This week includes important days like Palm Sunday and Good Friday. It ends with the joyful Easter celebration of Jesus's resurrection.

Etymology

The word Lent comes from an old English word, lencten, which means "spring season". This is because Lent happens in the spring. In many languages, the name for Lent refers to the 40 days leading up to Easter. For example, in Greek it is Sarakostí, meaning "fortieth", and in Latin it is quadragesima, also meaning "fortieth".

In some languages, Lent is named after the fasting that is part of this time. For example, in German it is called Fastenzeit, meaning "fasting period", and in Arabic it is called al-ṣawm al-kabīr, meaning "The Great Fast". Different cultures have their own special names for Lent, showing its importance in Christian traditions.

Main article: Lent

Origin

Lent is a special season for Christians. It started as a time for fasting and prayer. This idea came from stories in the Christian Bible. Many important people, like Moses, Elijah, and Jesus, fasted for 40 days.

Early Christians began fasting before Easter. They often ate only simple foods like bread and vegetables.

As time passed, more people began observing a 40-day fast before Easter. By the 4th century, church leaders made Lent an official time to prepare for Easter. Today, many Christian churches still celebrate Lent.

Date and duration

Lent lasts for 40 days and is celebrated in different ways by Christian groups. They decide the dates using the date of Easter and either the Gregorian or Julian calendar.

In the Roman Catholic Church, Lent starts on Ash Wednesday and ends on the evening of Holy Thursday. This time has 44 days, but people focus on 40 days of special prayer and eating less. Other churches, like Lutheran, Anglican, and many Protestant groups, observe Lent from Ash Wednesday to the evening of Holy Saturday, which is also 40 days if you do not count Sundays.

In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, Lent, called Great Lent, begins on Clean Monday and lasts for 40 days, including Sundays. After this comes Holy Week leading up to Easter. Each group has its own special ways to honor this holy time.

Associated customs

Three important practices are followed during Lent: prayer, fasting, and giving to others. These help people think and show love to God and their neighbors.

Lent includes special observances like the Stations of the Cross, where people remember Jesus’ journey to the cross. Churches often remove flowers and cover religious statues and crosses with purple cloth during the last two weeks of Lent. These actions show respect and preparation for Easter.

Before Lent starts, many Christians think about what they will give up or change during this holy time. Some celebrate Carnival or Shrove Tuesday, enjoying fun and food before the quiet days of Lent begin.

Holy days within the season of Lent

Lent includes several important holy days. In Eastern Christianity, Clean Monday marks the start of Lent, while in Western Christianity, Ash Wednesday is the first day. Each Sunday during Lent has special names and meanings. The fourth Sunday, called Laetare Sunday, is a time of joy, and some churches wear pink instead of violet clothes. The sixth Sunday is Palm Sunday, beginning Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter.

The week before Easter is very special. Maundy Thursday remembers the Last Supper that Jesus shared with his disciples. Good Friday is the day Christians remember Jesus’ death and burial. The Easter Triduum, a three-day event, leads up to Easter and includes special services and prayers.

Media coverage

In the United Kingdom, BBC's Radio Four has special programmes called the Lent Talks during Lent. These talks are heard on Wednesdays. Famous speakers have included John Lennox.

In the United States, the Hallow app has prayer events during Lent. The current event, #Pray40 2025, has helped many people pray together.