Lent

Lent (A.S. Lencten = Ger. Lenz, 'the spring'; Gr. Tessarakostē; Lat. Quadragesima—hence Ital. Quaresima, Sp. Cuaresma, Fr. Carême), the period of fasting before Easter. Such an observance was old even in the days of Irenæus, but without any uniformity—some fasted one day, others two; but the period was gradually extended by the 4th century to about forty days. The Greeks from the 6th century have commenced their abstinence from meat on the Monday in Sexagesima week, and from cheese, &c. on the Monday in Quinquagesima week; Sundays and Saturdays and the Feast of the Annunciation being deducted. In the West only Sundays were excepted from the fast, which sometimes began with Sexagesima or Quinquagesima, until, in the 8th or 9th century, it was finally fixed to commence with Ash Wednesday (q.v.), between which day and Easter-Sunday (omitting the Sun- days, on which the fast is not observed) forty clear days intervene. The rigour of the ancient observance, which excluded all flesh, and even the so-called 'white meats,' is now much relaxed; but the principle of permitting but one meal, with a slight refection or collation, is everywhere retained. In the Anglican Church Lent is retained as a church season of the calendar, with special services, and proper collects and prayers; but the observance of the fast is left to the discretion of each individual. See FAST; also HOLY WEEK.