The difference between 50 days of Lent in the Syriac Orthodox Church and 40 days in the Catholic Church comes down to how they count the fasting days.
Why Do We Fast?
Lent is a time for Christians to prepare for Easter by fasting, praying, and focusing on their faith. It follows the example of Jesus, who fasted for 40 days in the wilderness before beginning His ministry (Matthew 4:2).
How the Counting Works: 40 Days vs. 50 Days
- In the Syriac Orthodox Church (and many Eastern Churches), Lent is made up of:
- 40 days of fasting (starting on a Monday and ending on a Friday before Palm Sunday).
- Then comes Holy Week (Passion Week), which is one extra week of fasting leading up to Easter.
- So, when you add both together, you get 50 days of fasting.
- In the Catholic Church, Lent lasts 40 days and is counted differently:
- It starts on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday (the day before Easter).
- Sundays are not counted as fasting days because they are considered days of celebration.
- This keeps the fast at 40 days, matching the number of days Jesus fasted.
Conclusion:
The main goal of Lent is to prepare spiritually for Easter by fasting, praying, and focusing on God. Whether it’s 40 or 50 days, the important thing is the heart behind the fast, not just the number of days.
Blessings,
Fr. Josis Vazhakala
