Vincent Bronson

Guide to Lenten Diet Vincent Bronson

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). It is a time of somber reflection, fasting, and spiritual preparation to commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In particular, Lent is also a season of grief, known to Eastern Orthodox as the season of "Bright Sadness," recalling Jesus' painful crucifixion. This penitential period ceases with the celebration of Easter and new life. The forty days in Lent are traditionally marked by fasting from foods and festivities, and by other acts of penance. Historically, the three practices taken up during Lent were prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Today, Christians often give up something they enjoy during Lent, or give time or money to charitable purposes or organizations.