Two questions about Lent

[Momzilla]

These should actually be pretty easy...

(1) Why do orthodox Christians call it "the Great Lent"? Is there a lesser lent during the year? (For that matter, where does the term "lent" originate?)

(2) Why do orthodox Christians start Lent on a Monday, instead of on a Wednesday? I understand that the orthodox calendar is different, so that the orthodox celebrate Easter/Pascha on a different day (usually, at least--it's the same this year, right?), but why no Ash Wednesday?

 

[Matrona]

The Advent Fast (from St. Philip's Day to Christmas Eve) is considered to be like a smaller version of Lent, since the fast is the same and it also lasts for several weeks, in preparation for the feast of the Nativity of our Lord.

The English word "Lent" is derived from an Old English word, "lencten", meaning simply "spring".

I don't know the answer to your other question, but I hope this helps.

 

[ChoirDir]

Great Lent is an Eastern Orthodox holiday which always begins on a Monday between February 15 and March 21. The beginning date, Clean Monday, is set at seven weeks before Pascha, or Easter, in the Orthodox church. Great Lent is so named to differentiate it from the Advent fasting period which is known as Little Lent.

 

[Oblio]

The Advent Fast (from St. Philip's Day to Christmas Eve) is considered to be like a smaller version of Lent, since the fast is the same and it also lasts for several weeks, in preparation for the feast of the Nativity of our Lord.

Great Lent is also more strict. IIRC there is a greater relaxation of the rule of fasting on weekends (fish is permitted) and relaxation Tue/Thurs (oil/wine permitted) during St. Philip's fast.

 

[Momzilla]

So where does Ash Wednesday come from, or should I be asking that over in OBOB?

 

[Sergius_Lucius]

(1) Why do orthodox Christians call it "the Great Lent"? Is there a lesser lent during the year? (For that matter, where does the term "lent" originate?)

There are 3 other fasts:

Nativity (St. Philip's Fast) Nov. 15 through Dec. 24
Apostles' (Peter & Paul) Fast June 11 through June 28
Dormition (Theotokos) Fast Aug. 1 through Aug. 14

Great Lent & Dormition Fast are more strict than Nativity & Apostles'. (Now I have a ritualistic question: we in Russia, using old calendar, begin Apostles' Fast after All Saints' Sunday. But what do you do if 29 of June falls to the Trinity Week?)

(2) Why do orthodox Christians start Lent on a Monday, instead of on a Wednesday? I understand that the orthodox calendar is different, so that the orthodox celebrate Easter/Pascha on a different day (usually, at least--it's the same this year, right?), but why no Ash Wednesday?

I believe it's question of rite. Before the schism Western and Eastern Churches have one faith but different rites. I don't know why the West have developed the celebration of Ash Wednesday but there is nothing doctrinal in this differencies.

 

[Oblio]

(Now I have a ritualistic question: we in Russia, using old calendar, begin Apostles' Fast after All Saints' Sunday. But what do you do if 29 of June falls to the Trinity Week?)

If I understand your question correctly Sergey, the Apostles fast is a variable length under the new calendar. A few years ago we did not have it :o This year it is ~3 weeks

 

[prodromos]

Try this thread in OBOB

 

[Sergius_Lucius]

If I understand your question correctly Sergey, the Apostles fast is a variable length under the new calendar. A few years ago we did not have it :o This year it is ~3 weeks

Thank you for answer! With the old calendar it's variable too: from All Saints' to 12 July/29 June it takes 2-6 weeks.

 

[Momzilla]

Prodromos, thank you for the link. It helped immensely.

 

[Sergius_Lucius]

I've read somewhere an interesting excerpt from Fathers about Lent: 30 weekdays of Lent + 6 days of Passion Week + the night of Pascha = 36.5 days -- exactly 1/10 of year, tithe of your time dedicated to God.