In Western churches, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, six and a half weeks before Easter. Ash Wednesday can occur between February 4 and March 10 each year. For Roman Catholics and most Protestants, Lent began on February 18 in 2026.
In Eastern churches, including Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Rite traditions, Lent begins on Clean Monday, which falls 48 days before Orthodox Easter. In these churches, Lent began on February 23 in 2026.