Lent

==Date and duration==
{{Lent_calendar.svg|400px|Some}}
The 40 days of Lent are calculated differently among the various [[Christian denomination]]s that observe it, depending on how the [[date of Easter]] is calculated, but also on which days Lent is understood to begin and end, and on whether all the days of Lent are counted consecutively. Additionally, the date of Lent may depend on the calendar used by the particular church, such as the ([[Revised Julian calendar|revised]]) [[Julian calendar|Julian]] or [[Gregorian calendar]]s typically used by Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and [[Protestant]] churches, or the [[Ethiopian calendar|Ethiopian]] and [[Coptic calendar]]s traditionally used by some Oriental Orthodox churches.

===Roman Catholic Church ===
Since 1970, in the [[Roman Rite]] Lent starts on Ash Wednesday and ends on the evening of [[Maundy Thursday|Holy Thursday]] with the [[Mass of the Lord's Supper]]. This comprises a period of 44 days. Historically, the fasting and abstinence were enjoined during the weekdays of Lent and with Sundays being days of abstinence;<ref name="WJW"/> the obligations of the Lenten fast continue through Good Friday and Holy Saturday, totaling 40 days (with the [[Eucharistic Fast]] applying as well).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Philippart |first1=David |title=If Lent is 40 days, why are there 46 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter? |url=http://www.uscatholic.org/node/425 |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228022920/http://www.uscatholic.org/node/425 |archive-date=28 February 2020 |website=[[Claretians#Publications|U.S. Catholic]] |date=27 June 2013 |publisher=The Claretians |access-date=March 3, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.catholic.org/lent/faq.php|title=FAQs About Lent - Easter / Lent|first=Catholic|last=Online|website=Catholic Online}}</ref> Although Lent formally ends on Holy Thursday, Lenten fasting practices continue until the Easter Vigil and additionally, the celebration of Easter is preceded by the Paschal fast.<ref name="EWTN2"/><ref name="vatican.va">{{cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19631204_sacrosanctum-concilium_en.html|title=Sacrosanctum concilium|access-date=17 April 2017}}</ref>

In the [[Ambrosian Rite]], Lent begins on the Sunday that follows what is celebrated as Ash Wednesday in the rest of the [[Latin Church|Latin Catholic Church]], and ends as in the Roman Rite, thus being of 40 days, counting the Sundays but not Holy Thursday. The day for beginning the Lenten fast in the Ambrosian Rite is the Monday after Ash Wednesday. The special Ash Wednesday fast is transferred to the first Friday of the Ambrosian Lent. Until this rite was revised by Saint [[Charles Borromeo]], the liturgy of the First Sunday of Lent was festive, celebrated in white [[vestment]]s with chanting of the [[Gloria in Excelsis]] and [[Alleluia (chant)|Alleluia]], in line with the recommendation in Matthew 6:16, "When you fast, do not look gloomy."<ref name=Thouret>{{cite web |url=http://www.adorazioneeucaristica.it/S.%20Ambrogio/Quaresima%20rito%20Ambrosiano.pdf |publisher=Parrocchia S. Giovanna Antida Thouret |language=it |access-date=9 June 2014 |title=Il Tempo di Quaresima nel rito Ambrosiano |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714212552/http://www.adorazioneeucaristica.it/S.%20Ambrogio/Quaresima%20rito%20Ambrosiano.pdf |archive-date=14 July 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="RC-en-lent-duration">{{cite CE1913 |last=Herbert |first=Thurston |wstitle=Lent |volume=9}} See paragraph: Duration of the Fast</ref><ref name=Initii>The "Secret of the Mass" in the First Sunday of Lent – "''Sacrificium Quadragesimalis Initii''", Missale Romanum Ambrosianus</ref>

During Lent, the Church discourages marriages, but couples may marry if they forgo the special blessings of the Nuptial Mass and limit social celebrations.<ref>Stuber, Stanley I. (1960). New Revised edition. ''Primer on Roman Catholicism for Protestants: an Appraisal of the Basic Differences between the Roman Catholic Church and Protestantism.'' New York: Association Press. p. 57.</ref>

The period of Lent observed in the [[Eastern Catholic Churches]] corresponds to that in other churches of [[Eastern Christianity]] that have similar traditions.

===Protestantism and Western Orthodoxy===
[[File:High Altar of Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church during Lent.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|In Western traditions, the [[liturgical colour]] of the season of Lent is purple. Altar crosses and religious statuary which show Christ in his glory are traditionally veiled during this period in the Christian year.]]
In Protestant and Western Orthodox Churches that celebrate it, the season of Lent lasts from [[Ash Wednesday]] to the evening of [[Holy Saturday]].<ref name="EWTN">{{cite web|last=Akin|first=James|title=All About Lent|url=http://www.ewtn.com/library/ANSWERS/LENT.HTM|publisher=EWTN|access-date=3 March 2014|archive-date=29 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329062132/http://www.ewtn.com/library/ANSWERS/LENT.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Luther League of America">{{cite book|title=The Roman and the Lutheran Observance of Lent|year=1920|publisher=Luther League of America|page=5}}</ref> This calculation makes Lent last 46 days if the 6 Sundays are included, but only 40 days if they are excluded.<ref>{{cite book|title=What is Lent and why does it last forty days?|url=http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/what-is-lent-and-why-does-it-last-forty-days|access-date=20 April 2014|publisher=The United Methodist Church |quote=Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday. Sundays in Lent are not counted in the forty days because each Sunday represents a "mini-Easter" and the reverent spirit of Lent is tempered with joyful anticipation of the Resurrection.}}</ref> This definition is still that of the [[Moravian Church]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Moravian Passion Week |url=https://www.newhopemoravian.org/holy-days.html |publisher=New Hope Moravian Church |access-date=8 March 2021 |language=English |quote=Lent begins with Ash Wednesday and ends with the conclusion of the Great Sabbath (Holy Saturday to Easter Eve) - a span of forty days on the church calendar, excluding Sundays. |archive-date=12 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512140401/https://newhopemoravian.org/holy-days.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Lutheran World Federation|Lutheran Church]],<ref name="Northwestern Publishing House">{{cite book|title=The Northwestern Lutheran, Volumes 60–61|year=1973|publisher=Northwestern Publishing House|page=66}}</ref> [[Anglican Communion|Anglican Church]],<ref name="Kitch 130">{{cite book|last=Kitch|first=Anne E.|title=The Anglican Family Prayer Book|year=2003|publisher=Church Publishing, Inc.|page=130}}</ref> [[World Methodist Council|Methodist Church]],<ref name="Langford 96">{{cite book|last=Langford|first=Andy|title=Blueprints for worship: a user's guide for United Methodist congregations|url=https://archive.org/details/blueprintsforwor0000lang|url-access=registration|date=4 January 1993|publisher=Abingdon Press|page=[https://archive.org/details/blueprintsforwor0000lang/page/96 96]|isbn=9780687033126}}</ref> [[Western-Rite Orthodox Churches|Western Rite Orthodox Church]],<ref name="Fenton">{{cite web|last=Fenton|first=John|title=The Holy Season of Lent in the Western Tradition|url=http://www.antiochian.org/node/25432|publisher=Western Rite of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America|access-date=3 March 2014}}</ref> [[United Protestant Church]]es,<ref>{{cite web |title=First Sunday in Lent |url=https://united-church.ca/worship-liturgical-season/first-sunday-lent |publisher=[[United Church of Canada]] |access-date=8 March 2021 |language=English |date=21 February 2021}}</ref> and those of the [[Reformed Church]]es (i.e., [[Continental Reformed]], [[Presbyterian]], and [[Congregationalist]]) that observe Lent.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Meaning of Lent |url=https://covenantchicago.org/lent/ |publisher=Covenant Presbyterian Church of Chicago |access-date=8 March 2021 |language=English}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Lent and Easter |url=https://pilgrimcongregational.org/lent-and-easter/ |publisher=Pilgrim Congregational Church |access-date=11 April 2022 |language=English}}</ref>

===Eastern Orthodoxy and Byzantine Rite===
{{main|Great Lent}}
In the [[Byzantine Rite]], i.e., the [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox]] [[Great Lent]] (Greek: Μεγάλη Τεσσαρακοστή or Μεγάλη Νηστεία, meaning "Great 40 Days" and "Great Fast" respectively) is the most important fasting season in the church year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.antiochian.org/fasting-great-lent|title=Fasting and Great Lent – Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese|website=Antiochian.org|access-date=21 November 2017}}</ref>

The 40 days of Great Lent include Sundays, and begin on [[Clean Monday]]. The 40 days are immediately followed by what are considered distinct periods of fasting, [[Lazarus Saturday]] and [[Palm Sunday]], which in turn are followed straightway by [[Holy Week]]. Great Lent is broken only after the Paschal (Easter) Divine Liturgy.

The Eastern Orthodox Church maintains the traditional Church's teaching on fasting. The rules for lenten fasting are the monastic rules. Fasting in the Orthodox Church is more than simply abstaining from certain foods. During the Great Lent Orthodox Faithful intensify their prayers and spiritual exercises, go to church services more often, study the Scriptures and the works of the [[Church Fathers]] in depth, limit their entertainment and spendings and focus on charity and good works.

Some other churches that follow the [[Byzantine Rite]], including certain [[Eastern Catholic]] and [[Eastern Lutheran]] denominations have similar practices as those of Eastern Orthodoxy.

=== Oriental Orthodoxy ===
{{refimprove section|date=February 2024}}
{{further|Fasting and abstinence of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria{{!}}Fasting in the Coptic Orthodox Church}}
Among the [[Oriental Orthodoxy|Oriental Orthodox]], there are various local traditions regarding Lent. Those using the [[Alexandrian Rite]], ''i.e.'', the [[Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria|Coptic Orthodox]], [[Coptic Catholic Church|Coptic Catholic]], [[Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church|Ethiopian Orthodox]], [[Ethiopian Catholic Church|Ethiopian Catholic]], [[Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church|Eritrean Orthodox]], and [[Eritrean Catholic Church|Eritrean Catholic]] Churches, observe eight continuous weeks of fasting constituting three distinct consecutive fasting periods:
# a [[Pre-Lent]]en fast in preparation for Great Lent
# Great Lent itself
# the Paschal fast during [[Holy Week]] which immediately follows Lent

As in the Eastern Orthodox Churches, the [[Computus|date of Easter]] is typically reckoned according to the [[Julian calendar]], and usually occurs later than Easter according to [[Gregorian calendar]] used by Catholic and Protestant Churches.

==== Ethiopian Orthodoxy ====
{{further|Fasting and abstinence in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church{{!}}Fasting in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church}}
In Ethiopian Orthodoxy, fasting (''tsome'') lasts for 55 continuous days before Easter (''[[Fasika]]''), although the fast is divided into three separate periods: Tsome Hirkal, the eight-day Fast of [[Heraclius]], commemorating the fast requested by the [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine Emperor]] [[Heraclius]] before he reputedly set out to fight the [[Sassanian Empire]] and recover the [[True Cross]] which had been seized and taken from Jerusalem; Tsome Arba, 40 days of Lent; and Tsome Himamat, seven days commemorating [[Holy Week]].<ref name="dw2017-03-22">{{Cite news | author=James Jeffrey | title=Ethiopia: fasting for 55 days | url=http://www.dw.com/en/ethiopia-fasting-for-55-days/g-38067533 | publisher=[[Deutsche Welle]] | date=22 March 2017 | access-date=24 March 2017}}</ref><ref name="nenewe">{{Cite web|title=Tsome Nenewe (The Fast of Nineveh) |url=http://www.debreselam.net/index/?p=789 |publisher=Debre Selam Medhanealem Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church |location=[[Minneapolis]] |date=28 January 2015 |access-date=30 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405110705/http://www.debreselam.net/index?p=789 |archive-date= 5 April 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="arega">{{Cite web | author=Robel Arega | title=Fasting in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church | at=Why Fifty-Five Days? | publisher=Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Sunday School Department – Mahibere Kidusan | url=http://eotcmk.org/site-en/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=56&Itemid=1 | access-date=30 March 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331025244/http://eotcmk.org/site-en/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=56&Itemid=1 | archive-date=31 March 2017 | url-status=dead }}</ref> Fasting involves abstention from animal products (meat, dairy, and eggs), and refraining from eating or drinking before 3:00&nbsp;pm.<ref name="dw2017-03-22" /> Ethiopian devotees may also abstain from sexual activity and the consumption of alcohol.<ref name="dw2017-03-22" />

===Quartodecimanism===
[[Quartodeciman]] Christians end the fast of Lent on the [[Paschal full moon]] of the [[Hebrew calendar]], in order to celebrate the [[Feast of Unleavened Bread]] beginning on the 14th of [[Nisan]], whence the name derives. For this practice, they were excommunicated in the [[Easter controversy]] of the 2nd century A.D.