The word Lent comes from words meaning spring and long and probably refers to the lengthening of days as spring approaches. Lent probably grew out of the early Christian church's practice of baptizing people at the Easter vigil (watch), a service held on the eve of Easter. During the vigil, the church also accepted repentant Christians back into the faith. In the weeks before Easter, candidates for baptism fasted and received religious instruction. By the A.D. 900's, Lent had become a time of penance and preparation for Easter for all Christians. The observance of Lent was set at 40 days in the A.D. 600's. The number 40 recalls Jesus' 40-day fast in the wilderness, as described in the Gospels.

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. The day marks the start of the season of discipline and penitence that continues through the Lenten season. The day is observed by Western Christian churches, especially Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran churches.

In many churches, the observance of Ash Wednesday centers on ashes from burned palms used in the previous year's Palm Sunday procession. A priest or pastor blesses the ashes and uses them to mark a cross on the foreheads of worshipers. This blessing is based on the Biblical passage, "... for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." (Gen. 3:19). Ashes also serve as a symbol of purification and penitence.

Holy Week is the period between Palm Sunday and Easter when Christians remember the final events in the life of Jesus. During this week, churches usually hold special services of worship and meditation.

Palm Sunday, the first day of Holy Week, commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, when the people spread palms and garments before Him. Christians in many traditions observe the day with a procession with palm leaves. Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday, services focus on the Last Supper of Jesus. Worship may include a foot-washing ceremony, in keeping with Jesus' command to His disciples that they wash each other's feet as He had washed theirs. In Good Friday services, Christians remember the day of Jesus' Crucifixion. On Holy Saturday, many churches hold the vigil (watch) of Easter, when worshipers recall Jesus' burial and await His Resurrection. The vigil marks the start of Easter and often includes a service of light, Holy Baptism, and Holy Communion.

The observances of Holy Week took their present form in the late 300's. Early Christians linked the final events of Jesus' life with the days on which these events were thought to have occurred. Christians related these events with the places in and around Jerusalem where tradition held they took place. For the many pilgrims who visited Jerusalem, worship services were conducted at the churches and shrines that tradition associated with Jesus' last days. As a result, the observances in Jerusalem produced for the entire church a week of special solemnity and services to commemorate the suffering and death of Jesus.