In the Western Christian calendar, today is Ash Wednesday and marks the first day of Lent. Ash Wednesday is a moveable feast, occurring 46 days before Easter.
To observe the day, Roman Catholics, Episcopalians and Lutherans hold services during which the foreheads of the faithful are marked with the sign of the cross with ashes made from last year’s Palm Sunday palms as a sign of repentance and reminder of mortality.
Lent is best known as a time for fasting, when people give up pleasures, such as sweets.
Get free updates directly to your e-mail from News Break Online. Just enter your e-mail below and confirm your subscription by clicking the link that will be sent to your e-mail:
Post Published: 17 February 2010
Author: Mariana Martin
Found in section: Arts & Culture, Events, General Events
Tags: ash wednesday, ash wednesday printables, lent, lent ash wednesday, lenten prayer, lenten prayers
