Ash Wednesday

Today is Ash Wednesday and it marks the Lenten season in many Christian churches.  Below I've listed some information about Ash Wednesday from several different sites for those who do not observe this custom so to better understand just why we follow this rite.

From Wikipedia:

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent in the Western Christian calendar. Occurring 46 days before Easter, it is a moveable fast that can fall as early as February 4 and as late as March 10.

According to the canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke; Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the desert, where he endured temptation by Satan.^[2][3] Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of this 40-day liturgical period of prayer and fasting. Of the 46 days until Easter, six are Sundays and Sundays are considered "feast" days during Lent ^[4].

Ash Wednesday derives its name from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of adherents as a reminder and celebration of human mortality, and as a sign of mourning and repentance to God. The ashes used are typically gathered from the burning of the palms from the previous year's Palm Sunday.^[5]

This practice is common in much of Christendom, being celebrated mainly by Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, and Methodists.

 

From TimeandDate.com

Ash Wednesday in the US

Some Christians in the United States attend special Ash Wednesday church services. This includes students who attend Catholic and other church schools. Priests usually place blessed ashes in form of the cross on individuals’ foreheads to remind them of mortality, sorrow for sins, change, and forgiveness.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lenten discipline for observant Christians. It is traditionally a time of fasting and prayer in preparation for receiving or reaffirming baptism at Easter. For some Christians, Lent is a time to think about one’s life choices and mortality, as well as reflect on life directions. It serves as a wakeup call for some Christians. There are also those who choose this time of the year to donate to charities or take part in charity events as a way to get close to God.

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Ash Wednesday Around the World

Ash Wednesday is the day after Shrove Tuesday, which often features various carnival or Mardi Gras celebrations in many countries. Ash Wednesday has some variations across cultures. For example, some children in Iceland go from door to door and sing songs for treats on the day. Traditionally, they would try to attach small bags of ashes or stones to the back of people’s clothing.

Many people in countries where Ash Wednesday is a holiday may spend the day at home with family and friends or catch up on sleep. Some people attend Ash Wednesday church services. Many Christians believe that Ash Wednesday is a day of penitence or repentance for one’s past wrongdoings. Ash Wednesday church services usually include priests marking individuals with previously blessed ashes on their forehead in form of the cross.

The concept of Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, is observed on a Monday in countries such as Cyprus and Greece. This is because many eastern churches do not generally observe Ash Wednesday but they observe Ash Monday (also known as Clean Monday or Green Monday) in its place. Many people observe a fast that includes avoiding meat, eggs, dairy products and animal or vegetable oils.

More info on Ash Wednesday around the world