When is Ash Wednesday?
The date of Ash Wednesday 2010 is Wednesday 17 February
When is Ash Wednesday 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014?
Ash Wednesday 2010 is Wednesday 17 February Ash Wednesday 2011 is Wednesday 9 March 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.