Feb. 10th is Ash Wednesday, which kicks off the first day of Lent and signals the approach of Easter. Here are three things to know about the day.
What's the purpose of Ash Wednesday?
It marks first day of the 40 days of Lent, a roughly six-week period (not including Sundays) dedicated to reflection, prayer and fasting in preparation for Easter. In addition to certain rules about foods and fasting, many Christians (and even non-Christians) abstain from additional foods, luxury or material goods or certain activities and habits.
Where do the ashes some people put on their face come from?
They're obtained from the burning of the palms of the previous Palm Sunday, which occurs on the Sunday before Easter, and applied during services. Palm Sunday marks Jesus' return to Jerusalem, when people waved palm branches to celebrate his arrival. The ashes are typically mixed with Holy Water or oil.
What do the ashes mean?
The ashes, applied in the shape of a cross, are a symbol of penance, mourning and mortality. Centuries ago, participants used to sprinkle themselves with ashes and repent much more publicly, but the practice fell away sometime between the 8th-10th century before evolving into what it is today. There aren't any particular rules about how long the ashes should be worn, but most people wear them throughout the day as a public expression of their faith and penance.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment