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'''Lent''' is the forty-day period of [[atonement]] and [[fasting]] that begins on [[Ash Wednesday]] and culminates with [[Holy Week]], as recognized by most [[Christian]] demoninations.<ref>Lent is followed by Christians of the [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]], [[Lutheran]], and [[Anglican]]/[[Episcopalian]] denominations, as well as many others, including certain [[Reformed]], [[Methodist]] and [[Baptist]] traditions.</ref> The word "Lent" is taken from the [[Anglo-Saxon]] or Teutonic word Lencten, meaning "spring".<ref name="Spring">{{cite web|url=https://www.christianpost.com/voices/why-is-lent-relevant-for-evangelicals.html|title=Why is Lent relevant for evangelicals?|date=March 7, 2020|accessdate=March 9, 2020|author=Jim Denison|publisher=[[The Christian Post]]}}</ref> [[Good Friday]], the Friday before [[Easter]] Sunday, is an important Holy Day because it marks Christ's death on the cross. This entire holy season commemorates the period when Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the desert after His [[baptism]] (by [[John the Baptist]]), see {{bibleref|Matthew|4|1-2}}, culminating in the [[Three Temptations of Christ]] ({{bibleref|Matthew|4|3-11}}).  [[Christ]]'s [[Resurrection]] is celebrated after the conclusion of Lent.  

'''Lent''' is the forty-day period of [[atonement]] and [[fasting]] that begins on [[Ash Wednesday]] and culminates with [[Holy Week]], as recognized by most [[Christian]] demoninations.<ref>Lent is followed by Christians of the [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]], [[Lutheran]], and [[Anglican]]/[[Episcopalian]] denominations, as well as many others, including certain [[Reformed]], [[Methodist]] and [[Baptist]] traditions.</ref> The word "Lent" is taken from the [[Anglo-Saxon]] or Teutonic word Lencten, meaning "spring".<ref name="Spring">{{cite web|url=https://www.christianpost.com/voices/why-is-lent-relevant-for-evangelicals.html|title=Why is Lent relevant for evangelicals?|date=March 7, 2020|accessdate=March 9, 2020|author=Jim Denison|publisher=[[The Christian Post]]}}</ref> [[Good Friday]], the Friday before [[Easter]] Sunday, is an important Holy Day because it marks Christ's death on the cross. This entire holy season commemorates the period when Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the desert after His [[baptism]] (by [[John the Baptist]]), see {{bibleref|Matthew|4|1-2}}, culminating in the [[Three Temptations of Christ]] ({{bibleref|Matthew|4|3-11}}).  [[Christ]]'s [[Resurrection]] is celebrated after the conclusion of Lent.  

The forty days of Lent have historically been characterized by fasting (the consumption of one vegetarian meal daily) along with abstinence from meat, lacticinia, and alcohol. In the present day, while certain denominations observe this discipline (such as the [[Coptic Church|Coptic Orthodox Church]]), in others, such as the Catholic, Lutheran and Anglican traditions, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are observed with fasting with the Fridays of Lent being days of abstinence.  

The three pillars of Lent are fasting, prayer and almsgiving. The forty days of Lent have historically been characterized by fasting (the consumption of one vegetarian meal daily) along with abstinence from meat, lacticinia, and alcohol. In the present day, while certain denominations observe this discipline (such as the [[Coptic Church|Coptic Orthodox Church]]), in others, such as the Catholic, Lutheran and Anglican traditions, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are observed with fasting with the Fridays of Lent being days of abstinence.  

'''''Lent is a terrific opportunity to lose weight and overcome [[addiction]]'''''.

During Lent, Christians commit to making a Lenten sacrifice, in which they give up a pleasure for the season (such as chocolate). This Lenten sacrifice is kept from Ash Wednesday to the evening of Holy Saturday inclsuive and with the arrival of Resurrection Sunday (Easter), believers can indulge in what they gave up for Lent. '''''Lent is a terrific opportunity to lose weight and overcome [[addiction]]'''''.

==Observances and Discipline==

==Observances and Discipline==

===Historical===

===Historical===