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What is Christian Holiday Ash Wednesday?

ByFaith and Rain

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A boy on Ash Wednesday receiving the cross symbol on the forehead

Every year, Christians around the world celebrate Christian holiday Ash Wednesday.

It is among the most observed Christian holidays.

Although it is not a public holiday, many Christians around the world observe it.

However, very few Christians know the meaning of Ash Wednesday.

Actually, some Christians think Ash Wednesday is a Roman Catholic holiday.

It is because a lot of Roman Catholics observe the day by attending church mass.

The church marks a symbol on their forehead with ashes.

So, what is Ash Wednesday? Why is it celebrated, and what happens?

What is Christian Holiday Ash Wednesday?

According to Wikipedia, Ash Wednesday is a day of praying and fasting for all Christians.

Even though it is a Christian holy day, Western Christians, Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Methodists, and Lutherans observe it.

Ash Wednesday marks the starting of lent and occurs 46 days before Easter Sunday.

Lent is a period of repentant to prepare for Easter.

It provides a 40-day fasting, imitating Jesus’ fasting in the wilderness.

Lent asks all Christians to set some time every year for praying and fasting.

A lot of Christians start Ash Wednesday by marking a Lent calendar.

Ash Wednesday derived its name from applying repentance ashes on people’s forehead.

They mark a cross symbol on the foreheads of Christians.

They use burning palm leaves for the ceremony from the previous year’s Palm Sunday.

Why Celebrate Christian Holiday Ash Wednesday?

Ash Wednesday is very important in a Christian’s life.

It is the day that starts the Lenten period leading to Easter when Jesus was resurrected.

The Ash represents death and repentance.

During the lent period, followers of Christ show repentance and mourn their sins.

Christians believe Jesus Christ died for their sins.

What is the Origin of Ash Wednesday?

According to various theories, Ash Wednesday has a non-Christian origin.

It is not from the Bible, which is the key guide for Christians.

The Catholic council settled on a 40-day fast period as the average length Christians should celebrate Lent.

During this time, they wanted to bring pagans and Christians into an agreeable unit with the Roman kingdom.

However, after the Catholic council settling on 40-day lent period, there were some disagreements.

They moved the beginning of Lent from the 4th Sunday of the year to Ash Wednesday.

These are 46 days before Easter.

This provided 40 days of fasting, with 6 Sundays counted as feast days, thus 46 days of Lent.

In 601,Pope Gregory introduced the custom of marking worshipers’ foreheads with ashes in a shape of a cross.

How to Celebrate Ash Wednesday?

Ash Wednesday is a Christian holiday celebrated by most Christians around the world.

Most Christians, especially Roman Catholics, attend Mass on this date.

The priest or pastor shares a thoughtful sermon.

After the sermon, they invited the congregation to receive ashes on their forehead.

The priest or the pastor dips his finger into a container with ashes and then spreads a cross pattern on Christian foreheads.

Then he says” from dust you came, and from dust, you will return.”

After the service, most Christians leave in silence.

What do the Ashes Symbolize?

The ashes of Ash Wednesday symbolize death and repentance.

In ancient times, ashes were used to express grief and sorrow.

When Tamar was sexually abused by her half-brother, she put ashes on her head (2 Samuel 13:19)

In addition, ashes are equal to dust, and a man was formed from dust (Genesis 2:7)

When a Christian receives ashes on Ash Wednesday, he or she is saying sorry for his sins.

Hence, they use the lent period to purify their hearts, correct their faults, and grow in holiness.

It is also a good way to prepare to celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus with joy.

Is Ash Wednesday a Christian holiday or a Roman Catholic holiday?

Most Roman Catholic churches across the world celebrate Ash Wednesday.

However, Ash Wednesday is a Christian holiday, not just for Roman Catholics.

Catholic, Anglican, Orthodox, and Protestants, but not all, observe Ash Wednesday and lent.

Even though Ash Wednesday and Lent are not mentioned in the Bible, most Christians recognize the holiday.

Happily, the Bible commands Christians to live a lifestyle of worship and devotion.

In addition, Jesus urged Christians to pray and fast.

Is Ash Wednesday mentioned in the Bible?

They do not mention ash Wednesday in the Old Testament or the New Testament.

However, some bible characters sprinkled themselves with ashes to express sorrow for sin.

Several people in the bible including Job, Tamar, Mordecai, and Daniel, repented in dust and ashes.

Also, repenting in dust and ashes was followed by fasting in the Bible times.

Should Christians Celebrate Ash Wednesday?

Although Ash Wednesday is not mentioned in the scripture, Christians should celebrate Ash Wednesday.

The Bible speaks about fasting and repentance, but does not mention Ash Wednesday.

Although Christians are not asked to celebrate the holiday, it is an important day to observe.

Christians should live a lifestyle of worship and devotion.

In addition, they should be ready to repent their sins, fast, and focus on God all year.

Ash Wednesday is not a day of holy responsibility.

However, most Catholics attend mass on Ash Wednesday.

They attend the mass to mark the start of Lent season.

Anglican Communion, Orthodox, and some protestant churches observe Ash Wednesday.

However, Eastern Rite churches do not observe Ash Wednesday because Lent starts on the preceding Monday.

Summary

Ash Wednesday is an important holiday in the Christian calendar.

It is the beginning of Lent period, something that has a lot of significance in Christian life.

Catholics, Anglicans, and some Protestants churches celebrate Ash Wednesday.

It is a period where Christians show repentance and mourn their sins.

Ash Wednesday also reminds Christians to live a lifestyle of worship and devotion.

They also need to pray, and fast, as Jesus directed.

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