When is pancake day?

Pancake Tuesday, more formally known as Shrove Tuesday, is always followed by Ash Wednesday, which is the beginning of Lent whereby Christians traditionally fast for 40 days.

What is Shrove Tuesday?

Easter is one of the oldest festivals of the Christian Church and celebrates the resurrection of Jesus from the tomb on the third day after his crucifixion. However, before any celebrations can begin, there must be a period of fasting which is where Shrove Tuesday comes into play. The word shrove comes from the word shrive, meaning to present oneself for confession, penance, and absolution.

Shrove Tuesday marks the last day before Lent – a period of 40 days whereby Christians traditionally fast or give up certain foods. The 40 days represent the time that Jesus spent fasting in the desert where he resisted the temptation of Satan.

On the first day of Lent, also known as Ash Wednesday, Christians would traditionally attend mass to have a small cross of ashes drawn on their forehead by the priest. The cross is in reference to the Biblical passage: “For dust you are and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19).