Observance of Lent in Eastern and Western Churches
Both the eastern and western churches observe Lent but they count the 40 days differently.
The western church excludes Sundays (which is celebrated as the day of Christ's resurrection) whereas the eastern church includes them.
The churches also start Lent on different days.
Western churches start Lent on the 7th Wednesday before Easter Day (called Ash Wednesday).
Eastern churches start Lent on the Monday of the 7th week before Easter and end it on the Friday 9 days before Easter. Eastern churches call this period of nine days the 'Great Lent'.
The colour purple during Lenten season
Purple is the symbolic colour used in some churches throughout Lent, for vestments, and altar frontals.
Purple is used for two reasons: firstly because it is associated with mourning and so anticipates the pain and suffering of the crucifixion, and secondly because purple is the colour associated with royalty, and so it points to Christ's resurrection.
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For reflection
From the liturgical readings of the day:
"If you take away from the midst of you the yoke,
the pointing of the finger,
and speaking of wickedness,
if you pour yourself out for the hungry
and satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
then shall your light rise in the darkness
and your gloom be as the noonday." (Isaiah 58: 9b-10)
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"I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
(Luke 5: 32)
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