February 22 to April 8, 2023 in the World
In the Christian faith, the 40-day fasting period between Ash Wednesday and Holy Saturday takes place from February 22 to April 08, 2023. Sundays are not counted as so-called holidays of the resurrection. This custom can be traced back in the history of Christianity to the 4th century and is still practiced today by believing Christians. Lent is the time before Easter and commemorates the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert. Lent begins directly after Carnival.
It is characteristic of Lent that no Hallelujah and only the Gloria are sung at high feasts. Furthermore, the church bells also remain silent during the period between the Gloria of the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday until the Gloria in Easter Vigil. During this period ratchets are used as a substitute. In addition, there is no floral decoration in the churches except on the Lätare, the fourth Sunday of Lent. The so-called altar retables, i.e. the panels located behind the altars, are often closed during Lent, so that only the simple back can be seen. From the fifth Sunday of Lent, the crosses and statues are also covered with a violet cloth.
During Lent, believers should primarily pray, fast and give. In this way they also fight against poverty and injustice in the world. While prayer and fasting often represent personal aspects of Lent, giving is often lived out through the support of aid organizations or relief organizations of the Church. Fasting, however, is not exclusively about the renunciation of food. Rather, it is a time of reflection that faithful Christians use to become aware of their lives and to prepare themselves for the forthcoming celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The biblical background of Lent is the 40 days and 40 nights that Jesus spent in the desert led by the Holy Spirit. Jesus had to prove his faith by resisting the temptations of the devil. The number 40 has a symbolic character in the Bible and stands for a time of change or transition and preparation. For example, the Flood lasted 40 days and 40 nights and after the baptism Jesus withdrew for 40 days and for 40 years the people of Israel marched through the desert.
Where is Lent?
Worldwide
World
When is Lent?
Wednesday, the 22nd of February 2023 to Saturday, the 8th of April 2023
Only 108 days left!
More dates:
- Lent on Feb 14, 2024
- Lent on Mar 05, 2025
- Lent on Feb 18, 2026
What is Lent? And When Does Lent Start?
When does Lent 2023 start?
In 2023 Lent begins on Wednesday 22 February. The Lent dates for 2023 are 22 February – 6 April.
When does Lent 2023 end?
The last day of Lent 2023 is Thursday 6 April.
When the Lent period ends depends how you count the 40 days as eastern and western churches observe Lent slightly differently. In western churches Sundays are excluded meaning Lent ends on Holy Saturday. Eastern churches include Lent Sundays meaning it ends on Palm Sunday, the Friday before Easter. The last week of Lent is called Holy Week.
What does Lent mean?
The word “Lent” comes from the old English, “lencten,” which means “spring.” In Middle English is derived the words, lenten, lente, lent; related to the Dutch, lente, the German, Lenz, also rendered “spring.” In Old German lenzin, lengizin, and lenzo are related words, which probably comes from the same root as “long” and referring to “the lengthening days,” as the earth moves from the winter solstice toward the spring equinox.
Why is lent 40 days?
40 is a significant number in the Bible:
In Genesis, the flood which destroyed the earth was brought about by 40 days and nights of rain. The Israelites spent 40 years in the wilderness before reaching the promised land. Moses fasted for 40 days before receiving the ten commandments on Mount Sinai. Jesus spent 40 days praying and fasting in the wilderness in preparation for his ministry.
Lent 2023 is taking place between 22 February – 6 April.
What to do for Lent?
Some Christians from more orthodox or traditional denominations fast during Lent. They begin with the wearing of ashes on Ash Wednesday and give up meat, fish, eggs and more for the 40 day period. Others choose to give up comforts or luxuries such as chocolate, junk food, social media or television.
For many Christians, Lent is a time where they make space to pray, read the Bible and reflect on God’s love. This collection of Lent scriptures remind us that when we seek God, we will find Him.
For some of us the prospect of 40 days of giving up something can be daunting. This year we’d like to encourage you to take something up instead and form a new habit. That’s why we’re offering you prayer journals to help keep you focused and to encourage you in your faith walk.
What is Shrove Tuesday?
Shrove Tuesday is the day before Lent begins, otherwise known as Ash Wednesday.
Traditionally, Shrove Tuesday was a day where Christians could reflect on the sins they needed to repent of before the Lenten season began. The name Shrove comes from the old middle English word ‘Shriven’ meaning to go to confession to say sorry for the wrong things you’ve done.
Shrove Tuesday is also known as Pancake Day which comes from the old English custom of using up all the fattening ingredients before Lent, so that people were ready to fast. The fattening ingredients that most people had in their houses were eggs and milk, hence why people began combining them with flour to make pancakes.
What is the first day of Lent called?
Often called the Day of Ashes, Ash Wednesday opens Lent and takes place 46 days before Easter Sunday. It’s chiefly observed by Catholics, although many other Christians mark it too. Ash Wednesday comes from the ancient Jewish tradition of penance and fasting.
What is Holy week?
Holy Week is the week leading up to Easter, and is the week during which Christians particularly remember the last week of Jesus’s life. Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday which commemorates Christ’s triumphant arrival in Jerusalem.
Maundy Thursday is the Thursday before Easter where Christians remember the Last Supper, when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples.
Good Friday is the day on which Christians remember Jesus’ crucifixion and burial. Then Easter Sunday is the day on which Jesus rose from his tomb.
You can find more Lent and Easter resources here:
40 Lent Bible verses
Easter Bible verses
Hot cross bun recipe and devotional
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