Facts about Lent
Lent is not for the sake of Lent itself, as fasting is not for the sake of fasting.
Like Western Lent, Great Lent itself lasts for forty days, but unlike the West, Sundays are included in the count.
The forty-days of Lent corresponds to the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness when he was tempted by Satan before beginning his ministry.
Before Great Lent itself, there is a five-week Pre-Lent season, to prepare for Lent.
Nevertheless, Lenten practices (as well as various other liturgical practices) are more common in Protestant circles than they once were.
Today, Christians often give up something they enjoy during Lent, or give time or money to charitable purposes or organizations.
A special service book called the Lenten Triodion begins to supplement or replace the regular services.
The forty-day period of Lent has many resonances in biblical symbolism because the number forty is an important biblical number.
Fasting during Lent was more severe in ancient times than it is today.
Among Christians, Lent (known as "Great Lent" in Eastern Orthodxy) is the forty-day period prior to Easter (lasting, in Roman Catholicism and Anglicanism, from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday).
During the weekdays of Great Lent, there is a liturgical fast when the eucharistic Divine Liturgy is not celebrated.
going to the movies, playing video games) for Lent, or they may instead decide to take on a Lenten discipline such as devotions, volunteering for charity work, and so forth.
Roman Catholics may also observe Lent in this way, in addition to the dietary restrictions outlined above, though observation is no longer mandatory under the threat of mortal sin.
Many modern Protestants and Anglicans consider the observation of Lent to be a choice, rather than an obligation.
Observance of Sukkot is also detailed in rabbinical literature, including the Mishnah, Tosefta, Jerusalem Talmud, and the Babylonian Talmud (Mishnah Sukkah 1:1–5:8; Tosefta Sukkah 1:1–4:28; Jerusalem Talmud Sukkah 1a–; Babylonian Talmud Sukkah 2a–56b.
Holy Week and the season of Lent, depending on denomination and local custom, end with Easter Vigil at sundown on Holy Saturday or on the morning of Easter Sunday.
The most famous of the Pop artists, the cult figure Andy Warhol, recreated quasi-photographic paintings of people or everyday objects.
Each of the five Sundays of Great Lent has its own special commemoration.
Historically, the three practices taken up during Lent were prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
The forty days in Lent are traditionally marked by fasting from foods and festivities, and by other acts of penance.