Easter Lent Begins Today

Lent begins for Orthodox Christians in Bulgaria as of today, 11 March. It stretches over seven weeks and ends one day before Easter, which this year falls on 28 April.  

Lent symbolizes Jesus Christ’s withdrawal into the desert before his sacrifice. It is believed that abstention from animal food purifies the body and the soul. For Christians Lent is a time of reflection on the meaning of life, a time to repent for any wrongdoing and to seek a new road to the sublime and to one’s own self. 

In Eastern Orthodox Christianity Lent is called 'Great Lent' and is the most important fasting period of the year, in preparation for the most important celebration of the year, Pascha (Orthodox Easter Sunday). As in Western Christianity, the period of Lent differs in its dates from year to year, with the dates defined by the date of Pascha, which is a moveable feast.

Great Lent begins on Clean Monday (the beginning of the 7th week before Pascha) and runs for 40 days (including Sundays) until Lazarus Saturday (the day before Palm Sunday). Fasting continues until the morning of Pascha.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!