Do Jehovah's Witnesses Observe Lent?

What is Lent?

Lent (Latin: Quadragesima, "fortieth") is an observance in the liturgical year of many Christian denominations, lasting for a period of approximately six weeks leading up to Easter. In most Western denominations Lent is taken to run from Ash Wednesday to Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday) or to Easter Eve.

Do Jehovah's Witnesses Observe Lent?

No, Jehovah's Witnesses do not observe Lent or Easter. Jehovah's Witnesses only formally celebrate the one event that Jesus commanded his followers. The memorial of his death (1 Cor. 11:23-26).

Notice the following excerpt from the article, Fasting—Does It Draw You Closer to God? (w09 4/1 pp. 27-29; Watchtower Online Library):

The 40-day fast of Lent is said to commemorate the 40-day fast of Christ. Yet, Jesus never commanded his disciples to commemorate his fast, nor is there any evidence that they did so. The first reliable mention of the 40-day fast before Easter is thought to be in letters of Athanasius, dated 330 C.E.

Since Jesus fasted following his baptism and not before his death, the fact that some religions observe Lent in the weeks preceding Easter may seem strange. However, a 40-day fast in the early part of the year was common among ancient Babylonians, Egyptians, and Greeks. The “Christian” custom was evidently borrowed from them.

For more, see:

Lent (INDEX; Watchtower Online Library)

Do Jehovah Witness give up stuff for Lent like Catholics do? (Y/A)

Why Don't Jehovah's Witnesses Celebrate Easter? (Defend Jehovah's Witnesses)