Eastern Orthodox Lent

  • Thread starter Thread starter ajg
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
A

ajg

Guest
I saw on my desk calendar that Eastern Orthodox Lent started on 19 February and not Ash Wednesday like the Roman Catholic Church. Why does it start on a different day? What are the differences?
 
Last edited:
The Eastern Orthodox use the Julian Calendar, whereas Latin Catholics (and many Eastern Catholics) use the Gregorian Calendar. That is the reason why the Orthodox usually celebrate Easter at a later date. For the Eastern Orthodox, as well as from Eastern Catholics of the Byzantine Rite, Lent begins on a Monday, not on a Wednesday. This is because they count the days of Lent differently. Holy Week is not considered to be part of Lent, and Sundays are counted.
 
Last edited:
As far as I’m aware, among the Eastern Orthodox, only the Finnish Church does not use the Julian Calendar for the date of Easter. The Finnish Orthodox Church has fewer than 100,000 members.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top