What is Ash Wednesday?

On this day, most of the people ask what is Ash Wednesday? In general, it is the beginning day of fasting. It is also the very first day of Lent. You will get the term lent and fasting bellow. Most of the Christian know it as a religious holiday.

When is Ash Wednesday?

Well, to say exactly when it is there are some argue. But above all, it is almost 46 days in total before fasting. Sundays are included. As the Sundays are not counted for fasting it is excluded. Therefore, excluding Sundays the total day of fasting is 40. In short, The answer is It is between the February 4 and March 11 but before the Easter Sunday. (Source Wikipedia)

Who started ash Wednesday?

This was never mentioned in the Bible. So it is quite difficult to say exactly who started ash Wednesday. Most probably the western Christians started this. The western Christians started western Christianity in the area of former western Roman empire. They started this tradition on the first day of lent in Rome, for their penitents to start the period of public penance.

Ash Wednesday meaning

When people ask about the meaning, we become surprised. Then google it. After long research, we get somehow some knowledge but not the exact meaning. Well, it has another name. It is the ‘Day of Ashes.’ The term ‘Day of Ashes’ comes from the Roman term ‘Dies Cinerum.’ So the meaning of this is like the day before start fasting celebrated with traditional activities.

It is the blessing ashes made from the previous year’s Palm Sunday’s palm branches. This is a reminder of believing in Gospel that means “Remember that you are dust, and to dust, you shall return.”

Why is it called ash Wednesday?

Why is this called ash Wednesday has no shortcut answer. It is a matter of observation. I can answer you with some silly logic, but that will not good. In general, it can say, on this day people make the sign of a cross on their forehead with ashes that is why it is called like that.

Another reason is, every year the date of this event is same, I mean this date always comes in Wednesday, not in Monday or Thursday. So there is no chance of being “Ash Thursday” or “Ash Monday.”

History of Ash Wednesday

The history of Ash is historic. With reference to the canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Jesus Christ together endured temptation by Satan in the desert. They spent 40 days in the desert without enough food.

Following that Ash, Wednesday is a mirror of that incident. In spite of having enough food, we keep fasting for the betterment of ourselves and getting closer to the God. It is also the way of keeping sins away from us. The 40 days fasting is the preparation for Easter.

What happens on Ash Wednesday?

It is a very common question- what happens on this day? Well, first of all on this day people try to reconcile with their Christian community. They dressed sackcloth and sprinkled with ashes to apart from sin. They also put a cross sign on their forehead to keep the devils away from themselves and show obey as the servant of God. A massive bushfire also happened on the day.

Why do we celebrate ash Wednesday?

As most often it is said that it is originated from roman, the question why do we celebrate that may come. Is it mandatory?

So, should a Christian observe this day? Well, there is no definite commands in the Bible to practice this. Every Christian has the liberty to decide he or she may or may not observe the day.

Ash Wednesday Catholic

The main fact of ash Wednesday catholic is- In Roman Catholic church, it is the season of preparation on Easter Sunday for the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Ash Wednesday facts

Here is some quick facts.

It starts about 46 days before the Easter Sunday.

It is a festival of commemoration.

Quick referances: 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2; Joel 2:12-18; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18; Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6AB, 12-13, 14 and 17.

Ash Wednesday no meat

There is some variation on the rule- no meat. As fasting is a religious practice, the rules of fasting are quite restricted.

The first rule of fasting is abstaining from any food or meat or meal. It is a very strict fasting day for all the Catholics above the age 18. So, no meat on Ash Wednesday.

Ash Wednesday dates

People sometimes search on google about its dates, schedule, time, etc. Here is the date and time of ash Wednesday for next ten years.

Year Date 2018 14 February 2019 6 March 2020 26 February 2021 17 February 2022 2 March 2023 22 February 2024 14 February 2025 5 March 2026 18 February 2027 10 February 2028 1 March

Ash Wednesday bushfires

The bushfires are the massive fire accident that happened in South Australia. This accident happened on 16 February 1983 which was the date in that year. The wind speed was 110km/s and more than 180 fires fanned by winds.

Ash Wednesday movie

Two movies released based on the story of Ash Wednesday. The movies released in 1973 and 2002.

