When is Ash Wednesday?

Ash Wednesday 2013

The date of Ash Wednesday 2013 is Wednesday 13 February.

Countdown to Ash Wednesday

There are -101 days until Ash Wednesday.
There are -2442 hours until Ash Wednesday.

When is Ash Wednesday 2012, 2013 and 2014?

Ash Wednesday 2012 is Wednesday 22 February

Ash Wednesday 2013 is Wednesday 13 February

Ash Wednesday 2014 is Wednesday 5 March

What is Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent, a time for repentence and penitence. The significance of ashes goes back to ancient times, when the penitent would express remorse for their sins by dusting themselves with ashes.

In the Western Christian calendar, Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and occurs forty-six days before Easter.

During Ash Wednesday Masses and religious services, priests or ministers mark the forehead of the worshipper with a cross of black ashes.

This tradition mirrors that of the ancient Near Eastern practice of throwing ash over one's head to show repentance before God.