What Is Ash Wednesday? History, Cultural Significance Of The First Day Of Lent

One of the most popular holy days of the year in the Christian religion, Ash Wednesday is observed by many Western Christian denominations as a holy day of fasting and prayer. It is the first day of Lent, the six-week period of penance before Easter. It is observed by the following religious groups: Catholics, Lutherans, Moravians, Anglicans, Methodists, Nazarenes and some Reformed churches, such as some Congregational, Presbyterian and Continental Reformed congregations. 

What is Ash Wednesday 

On this day, you will find many Christians wearing ashes on their foreheads after attending mass to celebrate Ash Wednesday. It is traditionally marked by abstinence from meat and fasting. As it is the beginning of Lent, many Christians mark the occasion by creating a Lenten calendar, praying a Lenten devotional each day. It will be celebrated on February 14. 

History and significance 

This day is dedicated to prayer, almsgiving, and mortification for followers of Christ worldwide. Some people fast at this time and give up things they enjoy. This includes favorite foods, shows, and even social media.

Everyone who enters the church on Ash Wednesday has ash applied to their foreheads. This is done by priests who pronounce, "Thou art dust and unto dust thou shall return." William Johnston, associate professor of religious studies at the University of Dayton, while speaking to USA Today said that the ashes represent a person acknowledging and showing remorse for their sins, a tradition that dates to 1091. 

On this day, churchgoers line up to receive their ashes, which are derived from palm branches that are burned after Palm Sunday, a Christian celebration that falls on the Sunday before Easter.