Ash Wednesday

What is Ash Wednesday?

Ash Wednesday is a Christian event that marks the first day of Lent in the Western Christian Church. Lent satrts with Ash Wednesday and ends on the day before Easter Sunday which is known as Holy Saturday. The exact date of Ash Wednesday is not fixed because it is dependent on Esater Day (a movable celebration.) It can occur as early as February 4 or as late as March 10.

Church Customs during Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday derives its name from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of adherents as a sign of mourning and repentance to God. It also means that we will always have sin.

The priest, minister, or in some cases officiating layperson, marks the forehead of each participant with black ashes in the shape of a cross, which the worshipper traditionally retains until it wears off. The act echoes the ancient Near Eastern tradition of throwing ashes over one's head to signify repentance before God (as related in the Bible). The priest or minister says one of the following when applying the ashes:

Remember that thou art dust, and to dust thou shalt return.
—Genesis 3:19
Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.
—Mark 1:15

More on Ash Wednesday in Wikipedia