Hence, for about 1400 years the Lenten fast in the West has begun on the Wednesday before the First Sunday in Lent.

Therefore, in order to achieve 40 days, since the 7 th century the Western Orthodox have fast not only for six fully weeks (i.e., 36 days) but also four additional days. Early on in the West, the Lenten included every day including Saturdays but never included Sundays. While both traditions observe a 40 day fast, the different starting dates for the fast are related to how the fast is calculated. For Byzantine Orthodox Christians, the First Day of the Great Fast is on the Monday before the First Sunday in Lent and for Western Orthodox Christians the Lenten fast begins on the Wednesday before, commonly known as Ash Wednesday.

John W Fenton, Assistant to the Vicar Generalįor all Orthodox Christians, the Holy Season of Lent begins on the First Sunday in Lent (4 March in 2012), and the Lenten fast begins a few days prior.