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| Ash Wednesday 2015: What is it and why is it an important day for Christians? | Ash Wednesday 2015: What is it and why is it an important day for Christians? |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent – which is the period of self-restraint and abstention for Christians prior to Easter. | Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent – which is the period of self-restraint and abstention for Christians prior to Easter. |
| What does the day signify? | What does the day signify? |
| It marks the first day of fasting, repentance, prayer and self-control. Luxury or rich foods such as meat and dairy are often avoided by those taking part in Lent. | It marks the first day of fasting, repentance, prayer and self-control. Luxury or rich foods such as meat and dairy are often avoided by those taking part in Lent. |
| Abstention from personal “bad habits” such as watching television or eating too much sugar is also commonly practised. | Abstention from personal “bad habits” such as watching television or eating too much sugar is also commonly practised. |
| When is Ash Wednesday? | When is Ash Wednesday? |
| The day is marked on different dates each year. It falls on 18 February this year, the day after Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day. | The day is marked on different dates each year. It falls on 18 February this year, the day after Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day. |
| How is it celebrated? | How is it celebrated? |
| During church services, clergy use ashes burned at the previous year’s Palm Sunday mixed with holy water or olive oil to mark a cross on a worshipper’s forehead as a sign of repentance. | During church services, clergy use ashes burned at the previous year’s Palm Sunday mixed with holy water or olive oil to mark a cross on a worshipper’s forehead as a sign of repentance. |
| This is to signify the Biblical passage in Genesis 3:19: “For dust you are and to dust you shall return.” | This is to signify the Biblical passage in Genesis 3:19: “For dust you are and to dust you shall return.” |
| Why is it 46 days before Easter, and not 40? | Why is it 46 days before Easter, and not 40? |
| Although Lent lasts for six weeks, Sundays are not included as they are considered a day for worship and rest. | Although Lent lasts for six weeks, Sundays are not included as they are considered a day for worship and rest. |
| Ash Wednesday is marked 46 days before Easter Sunday, which is on 5 April this year, to imitate the full 40 days Jesus spent fasting in a desert before being blessed by John the Baptist. |