9 Facts about Ash Wednesday

Saturday, April 4th 2015. | Events

Facts about Ash Wednesday talk about one of the important Christian holidays. Before the celebration of Easter, the Christian people will perform fasting and repentance. The Ash Wednesday starts on Lent season. The Sundays are not counted in this event. Let’s find out more facts about Ash Wednesday by reading the following post below:

Facts about Ash Wednesday 1: the exact date of Ash Wednesday

Let’s find out the day of Ash Wednesday. It happens 46 days before Easter. There is no exact date of Ash Wednesday on the regular calendar because the Easter always moves around. In 2015, the Ash Wednesday occurs on 18th February. It will occur on 10 February next year.

Facts about Ash Wednesday 2: the celebration

The Ash Wednesday is celebrated by having attending the church. The forehead of the attendants will be rubbed with ashes in the sign of a cross by the minister.

Ash Wednesday Cross

Facts about Ash Wednesday 3: the ashes

The ashes are used during the service. They are taken from the burning palms. Sometimes, it was taken from Palm Sunday in the previous year.

Facts about Ash Wednesday 4: fasting

On Ash Wednesday, the Christians perform fasting the whole day. They will not eat meat. However, they are allowed to have two smaller meals and one full meal. But most of them only have bread and water during the day. This fasting activity usually occurs until Good Friday. Moreover, people also give up the foods or activities that they really like during the Lent. For example, they give up hot water for shower, playing video games, watching the favorite movies or even eating chocolate.

Ash Wednesday Image

Facts about Ash Wednesday 5: the history of Ash Wednesday

Even though the Bible does not mention Ash Wednesday, it is occurred as an honorable event. It occurs during the Lent. The 40 days of Lent is very important to commemorate by the Christians because they will remember how the devil tempted Jesus Christ when he was on the desert for 40 days.

Facts about Ash Wednesday 6: the ashes

The ash is an important symbol because it signifies the repentance and mourning. The cross rubbed with ash on the forehead represents the cross used by Jesus to clean the sins of all human beings.

Ash Wednesday Pic

Facts about Ash Wednesday 7: the first Ash Wednesday

It is believed that the first Ash Wednesday celebration occurred in 8th century in middle Ages. At that time, it was called as Day of the Ashes. Check facts about April Fool’s Day here.