Eastern Orthodox Beginning of Lent
Orthodox Lent is observed from Ash Wednesday to the evening of Holy Saturday and leads up to Easter Sunday. In the Christian (Eastern) Orthodox Church, Great Lent marks the forty days leading to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (the 40 days before Holy Week, which is the week when Christian Orthodox followers remember Christ’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection). The first day of Great Lent is called Clean Monday. Lent is a time for prayer, penance, good will, fasting, and drawing closer to God. Holy Week is a period of intensified prayer, penance, and fasting leading to Pascha (Easter).