There is some disagreement among scholars as to hen Lent began to be formally observed. Most agree that the practice of fasting before Easter became universal by the time of the Council of Nicaea in 325.
Every year lent begins 40 days before Easter Sunday, though the date is actually flexible in the Liturgical Calendar. Tradition says that Lent begins on Ash Wednesday each year, and continues until Easter Sunday.
As early as 130 years after the death, a tradition of fasting and self reflection in preparation of Easter. This period was set at 40 days around 300 AD and was defined to begin on Ash Wednesday, exactly 40 days before Easter, in the 600s.
Jesus wants us to be nice and live together forever and love each other.
The word "Lent" is derived from Old English lencten, meaning 'spring', the lengthening of days after winter is over. This was a period of spring fasting known in Old English as Lencten-Fasten, or in its abbreviated form, as Lencten or Lent. The ecclesiastical name for this once mandatory period of fasting is the Quadragesimal Fast, or the fast of the Forty Days, in imitation of the forty days of fasting performed by Jesus in the wilderness.
Like other institutions of Christianity, Lent took time to evolve into its full medieval form. Fasting was practiced in the early Christian Church and was viewed as an aid to prayer. Credence was given to the practice by a statement of Jesus: "When the bridegroom shall be taken from them, then shall they fast" (Matthew 9:15). What was called "half-fasting" was practiced very early on Wednesdays and particularly on Fridays to commemorate the passion or crucifixion of Christ. The Friday fast, as well as the Lenten fast, is still practiced by Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox Christians, and some Protestants.
Historically, the forty-day fast reaches back to the second century C.E., although forty days were not always required. By the fourth and fifth centuries, the fasting took place on thirty-six days representing the six weeks prior to Easter, minus six Sundays since Sundays were not fast days. Later, four extra days were added to make forty: Ash Wednesday and the three days following it.
(Taken from the Food and Culture Encyclopedia)
lent all started with Jesus in the wilderness.
he fasted for 40 days and 40 nights and lent is 40 days be for Easter.
Jesus wants us to love everyone.
Ash Wendsday
ash wednesday
He observed Lent by giving up his biggest vice. The word lent is the past tense of lend. Richard lent me his car last week.
Lent is observed to prepare for the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. Lent is a time of fasting and prayer to prepare for the joy of Easter.
Lent is observed starting Ash Wednesday, and lasting until Easter. The day before lent starts is Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) which, since many Catholics fast during lent, was when Catholics would eat tons of food preparing for their fasting.
It was first observed during 4th century.
Lent 2015 starts on Wednesday, February 18
Lent always starts on ash Wednesday.
You don't really have to prepare for Lent. I guess, in order to prepare for Lent you could start thinking about what you want to give up for Lent.
Please note lent starts on ash Wednesday and not on a Friday.
lent starts on March 9 and ends on April 19
Ash Wednesday is the day that kicks off the start of Lent.
Ash Wednesday
after fat tuesday?