All over the world, Lent and Easter are celebrated in a variety of ways, and these two holidays are the most important in the Christian calendar, mainly marked by reflection, penance, and commemoration of renewal. These two holidays also reflect different Christian and cultural traditions. Let’s take a look at what is different and special about these two festivals.
Lent is a Christian holiday celebrated over a 40 day time period. It is a time of repentance and devotion to God. During Lent, Christians prepare themselves to be more Christ-like and for the Easter holiday. There is a difference with how Eastern and Western Christians celebrate. The Eastern Orthodox use the Julian calendar and the Western Christians use the Gregorian calendar. This results in different dates for Easter, sometimes the same date, often with a week of difference and sometimes even a whole month off.
Catholics start the celebration with Ash Wednesday and end at sundown on Holy Thursday. Orthodox Christians however start with “Clean Monday” and end on the Friday before Palm Sunday. There is also a difference in the rules for fasting. Catholics are only required to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. They are also required to avoid meat on Fridays. Orthodox have stricter rules, they fast from any food that contains blood, for example meat, fish, dairy products, wine and oil. They fast from wine and oil because it was previously stored in animal skin. It is allowed on Saturdays and Sundays except on Holy Saturday. Shellfish is also allowed because they don’t have any blood and fish is only allowed on Annunciation and Palm Sunday.
When asked about how her family celebrates Lent, Jessie Lopez, a senior at MKHS said “[My family and I] make chile rellenos. We eat seafood on Fridays and also on Ash Wednesday.”
Easter is a traditional Christian festival that celebrates Jesus’ resurrection from the dead and is the most important thing in Christian theology. Easter is the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox, usually between March 22 and April 25. This is their tradition and the meaning of religion. Easter is also associated with various traditional cultures and symbols, such as Easter eggs, the mythical creature Easter Bunny who brings eggs to children, and parades and other celebrations. Many people celebrate Easter with family gatherings and enjoy food such as lamb, eggs and spring vegetables. Easter combines religious reverence with festive customs and is a joyous holiday for many people.
Lent and Easter are profound holidays for Christians. Lent is a time of reflection, repentance, and preparation, culminating in the joyous Easter. The 40 days of Lent encourage self-discipline and growth in faith, while Easter marks the triumphant resurrection of Jesus Christ, bringing hope and new life to believers. Whether through religious rituals, cultural traditions, or family gatherings, Lent and Easter provide an opportunity to reflect, give thanks, and rediscover the Christian faith.
