Q: What is Lent?

A: The Season of Lent is a significant time in the Episcopal Church, marking a period of forty days of preparation leading up to Easter. It begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts until Holy Saturday, excluding Sundays. Lent is a time of discipline and self-denial, inviting Christians to engage in self-examination, repentance, prayer, fasting, and self-denial, as well as reading and meditating on God’s holy Word (Book of Common Prayer, p. 265).

The forty days of Lent are symbolic of the forty years the Israelites spent in the wilderness and the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness being tempted by Satan. It is a time for Christians to draw closer to God, reflecting on their faith and preparing to walk with Jesus toward Jerusalem and the cross. The season culminates in Holy Week, which includes the observances of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday, leading up to the celebration of Easter, the feast of Christ’s Resurrection.

Q: What is Holy Week?

A: Holy Week is the final week of Lent in the Episcopal Church, leading up to Easter Sunday. It is a time when Christians commemorate the last days of Jesus’ earthly life, His crucifixion, and His resurrection. Holy Week is a deeply spiritual and solemn period that invites believers to walk closely with Jesus through His passion and death, culminating in the joy of His resurrection. Here’s an overview of the key days and observances during Holy Week:

Palm Sunday: This day marks Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, where He was greeted with palm branches and shouts of “Hosanna!” It sets the stage for the events of Holy Week.
Maundy Thursday: On this day, Christians remember the Last Supper, where Jesus instituted the sacrament of Holy Communion. It is also the night Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, demonstrating servanthood and love.
Good Friday: This solemn day commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus. It is a time for reflection on the sacrifice of Christ and the depth of God’s love for humanity.
Holy Saturday: This day is a time of waiting and reflection, as Jesus lay in the tomb. Some churches hold the Easter Vigil after sundown, marking the beginning of the Easter celebration.
Easter Vigil: Holy Week ends at sundown on the Saturday before Easter, or with the celebration of the Easter Vigil. It is a time for Christians to engage deeply with the story of Jesus’ passion, death, and resurrection, reflecting on the themes of sacrifice, redemption, and hope.