Show Observance of Lent The Lenten season which is oh- oh ob observed served by the Roman and Greek Catholic churches as well as ns in some iome England degree by the Church of Eng Eng- Eng Eng- land the Protestant Episcopal church in America and others be- be began began be began gan on Ash Wednesday February 26 2 and will continue until Easter Sunda Sunday April 12 a period of forty days das not counting Sundays Christian In the early years of the Chris Chris- tian era the fast of Lent was ob- ob observed observed ob observed served for varying periods by only one ono tw two or days nd by others t f time ro ra long longer r time according to the writ of Irenaeus Greek Bishop of in the second cen century century century tury Pope Leo I in the fourth century recommended the fast of forty d days ys as having apostolic au- au authority au authority This period was taken to i commemorate the forty days fast of Moses l of Elijah and especially that of Christ Theoretically at nt least the faith faith- faithful faithful faithful ful from food on fast days until evening worldly amusements and secular J celebrations celebration are to be b nd marriages ar are held t tobe be undesirable during Lent The duty of fasting fating is modified with respect respect to lal ing people children and women under UDder certain certain tam tain conditions Gut but increased dili dili- diligence diligence diligence gence In works of is en- en enjoined enjoined en enjoined joined upon all as ns well as extra extraordinary ordinary attention to all religious observances throughout thiS this per per- perio period iod io lod S SS S |