Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent in the Christian calendar, falling 46 days before Easter. It is observed by many Christians, particularly Catholics and some Protestant denominations. On this day, believers attend church services where ashes, made from burned palm fronds, are applied to their foreheads in the shape of a cross. This ceremony symbolizes repentance and mortality, reminding participants of their human frailty and need for spiritual renewal. Ash Wednesday emphasizes the themes of reflection, sacrifice, and preparation for Easter, a significant celebration of Jesus’ resurrection.