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 presently 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 presently observed with fasting with the Fridays of Lent being days of abstinence. |