Greetings in the name of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
As we enter the Lenten season (Wed, 18 February 2026 – Thu, 2 April 2026) tomorrow, the General Office of Olivet Assembly of South Asia warmly greets everyone and prayerfully wishes all a blessed and spiritually enriching journey throughout this sacred season.
Lent is a forty-day season of prayer, fasting, and repentance observed by many Christians as preparation for Easter.
The term comes from Old English lencten, meaning springtime or lengthening of days, expressing both seasonal change and spiritual renewal.
The season begins on Ash Wednesday, i.e. 18th February this year, when ashes placed on the forehead symbolize humility, mortality, and the call to return to God.
Christian tradition connects Lent’s forty days to biblical examples: Moses fasted before receiving the law, Elijah fasted before encountering God at Horeb, and Jesus fasted in the wilderness while resisting temptation.
Early Christian Bishop Maximus of Turin later interpreted these events as symbols of spiritual renewal and preparation for divine mission.
Throughout Lent, believers practice self-examination, Scripture reading, charity, and devotion, reflecting on Christ’s suffering and resurrection while preparing to celebrate Easter with renewed faith, hope, and gratitude.
May the Lenten season brings spiritual renewal and transformation in our region and beyond. Amen.
Issued by Olivet Assembly of South Asia.