Today, Orthodox Christians around the world entered into Lent. Western Christians have been in Lent for some time. Most years, Western Christian Easter does not align with Eastern Christian Easter (called Pascha, the Greek word for Passover). This year is one such year and so the Lents do not align either. This year, in fact, the East and the West are quite far apart. There are historical, theological reasons for the different calendars, which could be summarized as: the Orthodox still calculate Pascha/Easter in keeping with how Jews calculate Passover and Pope Gregory XII changed to the modern “Gregorian” calendar, which Protestants also accepted.
Eastern Christian practice begins Lent in the evening with Forgiveness Vespers (at some parishes, observed in the afternoon), because liturgically, the day begins in the evening. Those familiar with Ash Wednesday might be surprised to learn that Orthodox do not hold that service but instead a Forgiveness Vespers. This vespers contains a penitential feel and during the service, the liturgical colors are changed from gold to a dark purple. At the conclusion of the service, those present ask forgiveness of one another, individually. This includes the clergy asking forgiveness from each and every parishioner present. Some traditional Paschal/Easter hymns are then sung as well, as a foretaste of what’s to come at the end of Lent.
Although Orthodox Christians may be known for the restrictive fasting they are called to do during Lent, forgiveness is at the heart of Lent. May God forgive us all!