Whereas a lot of the world’s Christians started their observance of Lent this yr on Feb. 14, 2024, these whose denominations comply with the Julian calendar will observe their first day of Lent on March 18, 2024.
These embrace, however usually are not restricted to, Orthodox Christians, Coptic Christians and a few Jap Catholic church buildings.
The rationale for this inconsistency, Protodeacon Patrick Mitchell instructed Fox Information Digital, is because of variations in how the church buildings calculate the dates of feasts that change every year.
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Mitchell is protodeacon on the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Washington, D.C.
There are different variations in how the Orthodox Church observes Lent in comparison with different denominations, stated Mitchell.

Protodeacon Patrick Mitchell, from the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Washington, D.C., instructed Fox Information Digital why Orthodox Christians (normally) have a distinct date for Easter than different Christians. (Courtesy of Brian Patrick Mitchell/iStock)
“We start it on the Monday after ‘Forgiveness Sunday,’” he instructed Fox Information Digital in a telephone interview.
The Orthodox Church “type of numbers the times in a different way” as nicely, however “they’re each roughly the identical size: 40 days.”
The customs surrounding fasting throughout Lent are additionally totally different between faiths, Mitchell stated.
Whereas Catholics are obliged to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays throughout Lent, Orthodox Christians preserve a a lot stricter quick.
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“It’s just about a common quick from meat and dairy,” he stated. “After all, it is determined by what persons are capable of do. I do not suppose anyone expects youngsters to maintain this quick.”
However, he stated, many individuals do — which makes the celebration at Easter (known as “Pascha,” which is the Greek phrase for “Passover”) “fairly an occasion.”

In Orthodoxy, it’s custom to quick from all animal merchandise throughout Lent. (iStock)
The date of Pascha is a unifying issue of the world’s Orthodox church buildings, stated Mitchell.
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“Although there are numerous Orthodox church buildings on the calendar, all of us rejoice Pascha on the outdated calendar,” he stated.

There are greater than 200 million Orthodox Christians around the globe. (iStock, courtesy of consumer Tsyb Oleg)
Easter, he stated, is “the primary Sunday after the primary full moon after the vernal equinox,” he stated.
The church makes use of the Julian calendar, which is 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar — which is utilized by a lot of the world.
Often, the date of Easter is similar for each calendars. This occurred most lately in 2017, and can occur once more in 2025.
Throughout Lent, Orthodox Christians place a particular emphasis on forgiveness and to stay centered on the upcoming Easter.
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Lent “usually means fasting from a variety of different actions that we’d not need to be concerned in – simply, worldly issues,” stated Mitchell.
“We simply spend extra time in church and spend extra time in prayer and browse higher issues than what we’d usually do.”
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Moreover, “We attempt to keep away from any pointless arguments or controversies throughout Lent to protect a extra peaceable perspective,” he stated.
“To be extra centered on the resurrection, on the love of Christ and, and our salvation.”
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