Lent

In the Western Christian church, a period of penitential preparation for Easter that includes 40 weekdays extending from Ash-Wednesday to Easter-eve, observed as a time of fasting and penitence in imitation of Jesus Christ's fasting in the wilderness. In Eastern churches Lent begins Monday seven weeks before Easter and ends the Friday 9 days before Easter. This "Great Lent" allows that Saturdays and Sundays are relaxed fast days.