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During the weekdays of Great Lent, there is a liturgical fast when the [[Eucharist|eucharistic]] [[Divine Liturgy]] is not celebrated. However, since it is considered especially important to receive the Holy Mysteries during this season the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, also called the Liturgy of St. [[Gregory the Dialogist]], may be celebrated on Wednesdays and Fridays. At this [[vespers|vesperal]] service some of the Body and Blood of Christ reserved the previous Sunday is distributed. On Saturday and Sunday the Divine Liturgy may be celebrated as usual, although on Sundays the more solemn Liturgy of St. [[Basil the Great]] is used in place of that of St. [[John Chrysostom]].
Like Western the observation of Lentin the West, Great Lent itself lasts for forty days, but unlike the West, Sundays are included in the count. It officially begins on Monday seven weeks before Pascha and concludes on the eve of Lazarus Saturday, the day before [[Palm Sunday]]. However, fasting continues for the following week, known as Passion Week, Great Week or [[Holy Week]], up until Pascha.
== Structure of Great Lent ==