In modern Greek the term is Σαρακοστή ( Sarakostí), derived from the earlier Τεσσαρακοστή ( Tessarakostí), meaning "fortieth". In languages spoken where Christianity was earlier established, such as Greek and Latin, the term signifies the period dating from the 40th weekday before Easter.
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The origin of the - en element is less clear: it may simply be a suffix, or lencten may originally have been a compound of * laŋgo- 'long' and an otherwise little-attested word *- tino, meaning 'day'. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, 'the shorter form (? Old Germanic type * laŋgito-, * laŋgiton-) seems to be a derivative of * laŋgo- long and may possibly have reference to the lengthening of the days as characterizing the season of spring'. A dated term in German, Lenz ( Old High German lenzo), is also related. The English word Lent is a shortened form of the Old English word lencten, meaning " spring season", as its Dutch language cognate lente ( Old Dutch lentin) still does today. Similar Christian penitential practice is seen in other Christian countries, sometimes associated with fasting. The violet color is often associated with penance and detachment. Lent observers, including a confraternity of penitents, carrying out a street procession during Holy Week, in Granada, Nicaragua. 4.2.3 Abstinence from meat and animal produce.4.1.2 Mardi Gras and carnival celebrations.3.3 Eastern Orthodoxy and Byzantine Rite.3.2 Lutheranism, Moravianism, Anglicanism, Methodism, Western Orthodoxy, and Reformed Christianity.In many Christian denominations, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday form the Easter Triduum. Following the New Testament narrative, Jesus' crucifixion is commemorated on Good Friday, and at the beginning of the next week the joyful celebration of Easter Sunday, the start of the Easter season, which recalls the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. In most denominations, the last week of Lent coincides with Holy Week, starting with Palm Sunday. Many churches remove flowers from their altars and veil crucifixes, religious statues that show the triumphant Christ, and other elaborate religious symbols in violet fabrics in solemn observance of the event. Often observed are the Stations of the Cross, a devotional commemoration of Christ's carrying the Cross and crucifixion. Many Christians also add a Lenten spiritual discipline, such as reading a daily devotional or praying through a Lenten calendar, to draw themselves near to God. In Lent, many Christians commit to fasting, as well as giving up certain luxuries in imitation of Jesus Christ's sacrifice during his journey into the desert for 40 days this is known as one's Lenten sacrifice. The purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer for Easter through prayer, mortifying the flesh, repentance of sins, almsgiving, simple living, and self-denial. Thus, it is known in Eastern Orthodox circles as the season of "bright sadness" ( Greek: χαρμολύπη, romanized: charmolypê).
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Lent is a season of grief that necessarily ends with a great celebration of Easter. In Eastern Churches (whether Eastern Orthodox, Eastern Lutheran, or Eastern Catholic), Lent is observed continuously without interruption for 40 days starting on Clean Monday and ending at noon of Holy Saturday. Sundays may or may not be excluded, depending on the denomination. In Western Churches, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends approximately six weeks later depending on the Christian denomination and local custom, Lent concludes either on the evening of Maundy Thursday, or at sundown on Holy Saturday, when the Easter Vigil is celebrated. Which days are enumerated as being part of Lent differs between denominations (see below), although in all of them Lent is described as lasting for a total duration of 40 days. Some Anabaptist, Baptist and nondenominational Christian churches also observe Lent. This season is observed in the Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, Methodist, Moravian, Oriental Orthodox, Reformed (including Presbyterian and Congregationalist), United Protestant and Roman Catholic Churches. Lent ( Latin: Quadragesima, 'Fortieth') is a solemn religious observance in the Christian liturgical calendar commemorating the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert, according to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, before beginning his public ministry, during which he endured temptation by Satan. Altar crosses and religious statuary which show Christ in his glory are traditionally veiled during this period in the Christian year. The liturgical colour of the season of Lent is purple.