For most Catholics, Lent begins in two days, on Ash Wednesday. For Eastern Rite Catholics, however, today is the first day of Lent (or Great Lent, as it is called by Eastern Rite Catholics and Eastern Orthodox). Today is known as Clean Monday, as a reminder that we should begin Lent with good intentions and with a desire to clean our spiritual house.
Clean Monday is a day of strict fasting for Eastern Rite Catholics, and, on this day and throughout Lent, Eastern Christians will pray the Prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian. As the rest of us wait for Lent to begin, now would be a good time for us to learn the prayer, too.
More on Clean Monday and Lent:
- What Is Clean Monday?
- Lent - Definition of Lent
- When Does Lent Start?
- How Are the 40 Days of Lent Calculated?
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WHEN IS LENT
Lent begins Wednesday Feb 22, 2012
Actually Greek orthodox lent begins next Monday. Because our Easter is a week apart this year.