Lent Overview
Lent is one of the oldest observations on the Christian calendar and today, in our 21st century, millions of people still take Lent very seriously.  The word Lent is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word Lencten, which means spring.  Roman Catholic Lent starts on Ash Wednesday and runs for 40 days, excluding Sundays, ending at sundown with the beginning of the mass of the Lord's Supper.   Lent is observed in a handful of Protestant denominations, namely Anglicans and Episcopalians, but the majority who practice Lent are Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Churches.  
The idea of Lent is a period of time set aside for penitence, self-examination and spiritual renewal, preparing the heart for the ensuing great feast on Easter Sunday.  During this time the participants are asked to give up an earthly pleasure as a sacrifice and penance to God.  Unlike the Eastern Orthodox Churches, the Roman Catholic Church has relaxed the historically stringent requirements of Lent.  Today, one can simply give up chocolate, or coffee and feel a sense of participation.

Lent's Evolving History
As early as 325AD, the Council of Nicea discussed a 40-day Lenten period.  Forty days is a significant number in the bible.  Moses and Elijah spent forty days in the wilderness, Nineveh was given forty days to repent, but most importantly, Jesus fasted forty days in the desert as preparation for ministry and to face His foe, Satan.

In the fourth century Christianity became the State religion in Rome.  There was a great influx of new Church members and the Church became concerned there would be a weakening of their core values.  Therefore the 40 day Lenten fast with three hour a day classes became compulsorily before Baptism on Easter's Eve.  The observance was strict; only one meal a day near evening, and it could not include any animal products.

By 800AD, the ritual of Lent was becoming more lenient.  Church members were now allowed to eat after 3PM, by 1400AD, it had been moved up to noon.  As time went on, fish was allowed.  Finally in 1966, the Roman Catholic Church had reduced the restricted fast to two days: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.  The Eastern Orthodox lent is still quite strict to this day.       

Baked Scrod (insert your name here) Style