Celebrated as Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, around the world, Shrove Tuesday, or "Pancake Day," derives from the English word meaning to seek forgiveness or be granted absolution.

As early as the first century, people are believed to have fasted during Lent. It was customary to eat only one meal a day, and eliminate fish, meat, eggs and butter. These strict rules loosened as time went on, however, some Christians decide to continue the tradition and give up a particular pleasure.

The Inter-Livery Pancake Race in London's Guildhall Yard is a lively annual event commemorating Shrove Tuesday. Participants in quirky costumes race around the square while flipping pancakes. The race is part of a wider tradition in the UK celebrating the day before Lent with various festivities.

Every year, millions of Christians across the globe celebrate the festival of Lent. The special period is preceded by Shrove Tuesday, the day that is colloquially known as Pancake Day. It ends on Easter Sunday,

The most important celebration of the year is around the corner as Londoners prepare for Pancake Day on Tuesday (March 4). Many will choose to empty their cupboards and make the delicious crêpes, but it's also the perfect time to sample options across the city.

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The year rushes on apace: spring is officially here – the turn of the season acknowledged by Radio 4’s Today programme, which has been punctuating its grim chronicle of global turbulence with listeners’ nature notes.

A Camden cathedral service was among those that marked start of Lent, a time of prayer, fasting and charity for many Catholics, other Christians.

Pope Francis has increased his physical therapy with his condition remaining stable on Wednesday, marking the start of Lent by receiving ashes on his forehead and calling the parish priest in Gaza, the Vatican said.

EWTN Father Marcus Holden of the Diocese of Southwark, England, and art historian Teresa Lane visit the National Gallery in London to study 12 paintings of Our Lord. HGTV In this series, four 60-minute episodes on Sunday evenings feature Ben and Erin Napier as they redo homes in their hometown of Laurel, Mississippi, and raise their daughters.