What is the history behind Shrove Tuesday?
Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake Tuesday, is the traditional feast day before Lent begins, and is celebrated across the United Kingdom and parts of the commonwealth. This year it falls on 16 February during the third Lockdown in this country.
Traditionally this was regarded as the day when pancakes were made from the ingredients in our kitchen cupboards to empty them of extra food before the more frugal season of Lent.
Ash Wednesday
Each year, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. In 2021, There are 40 days in Lent which is is the season before the celebration of Easter.
Ash Wednesday falls on February 17. Often called the Day of Ashes, Ash Wednesday starts Lent by focusing the Christian’s heart on repentance and prayer, usually through personal and communal ways of thinking about what we can do for others.
Ash Wednesday reminds us that we are not here forever, and challenges us to live the best every day
Lent
Lent is a religious observance in the Christian liturgical calendar that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends approximately six weeks later, the night before Easter Sunday. The purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer for Easter through prayer, reflection, almsgiving, and acts of love.
This event is observed in the Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, Methodist, Moravian, Presbyterian, Oriental Orthodox, Reformed, and Roman Catholic Churches. The last week of Lent is Holy Week, starting with Palm Sunday.
Header photo by Ahna Ziegler