Lent Trivia Quiz

Answer: Clean Monday

In Greece, for example, Clean Monday is celebrated with dancing, throwing colored flour, and flying kites. Clean Monday is also observed by some Eastern Rite Catholic Churches.

Answer: Ashes

This signifies the belief that during Lent, Catholics are to become ever more conscious of the need to reform one's own life and to repent for sins. During the Ash Wednesday Mass, the Old Testament reading is Joel 2:12-18: "Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, weeping and mourning..." Although Lent begins with this somber tone, it prepares the faithful for the joy of Easter.

In some Eastern Rite Catholic churches, ashes are distributed on Monday of the first week.

Answer: One may eat meat and dairy at any time

In Western Christian traditions, such as the Anglican, Presbyterian, Catholic and Methodist churches, the faithful will not eat meat on at least one day of the week during Lent, usually Friday. This is a commemoration of the day of Good Friday, when Christ was crucified.

In the Eastern Orthodox Churches, the faithful are enjoined from eating meat and dairy products for the duration of Lent. Eating fish or shellfish is allowed on Fridays.

Answer: A person aged 25, with no known health issues

Across Christian traditions, it is generally held that following your doctor's orders does not violate the Lenten fast. Also, younger children, as well as the elderly, may not be held to as firm of a guideline for calorie reduction, in order to maintain strength.

Some churches will place age limits on participation in Lent. This may be at the 'age of reason,' as they define it, when a child can make more mature decisions, or the reception of a sacrament such as Confirmation or Chrismation.

Answer: People were expected to start Lent by going to Confession

Confession was known as being shriven of sins, hence 'Shrove.' The practice of going to Confession during Lent, especially early on, is still followed in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Anglican traditions.

Answer: Bread on the Way to the Cross

The series, published on the UMC (United Methodist Church) website, includes readings from the Gospels and recommendations for prayerful thoughts. 'The Long Loneliness' is the autobiography of Catholic activist Dorothy Day, and the other two titles I made up.

Answer: Take the money you would have spent on extra food, and give it to the poor

In modern times, many churches continue to offer community Lent and Easter meals and food collections for the needy. Spring cleaning and exercise may be popular things to do, but they are not generally known as requirements of Lent.

Answer: After sunset

Holy Saturday is also the day on which new converts are baptized and Confirmed. The Holy Saturday Mass, as with others during Holy Week, is of relatively considerable length, perhaps two to three hours. Evening services on Holy Saturday are popular in other Christian denominations as well.

Answer: Purple

Another characteristic of the Lutheran Church's Lenten observance is the lack of the word "Alleluia" in the service. The term returns to use at Easter, as a reminder of the joy of the Resurrection.

Answer: Chocolate bunnies

Sales of chocolate and other candies are extremely popular in the U.S. and elsewhere at the end of Lent. Palm crosses are associated with Palm Sunday, and commonly used in the liturgy during that day, then displayed at home. They are not not to be eaten.