Lent Post #1: Ash Wednesday: how is it observed and why do we give things up?

When is Ash Wednesday?

Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of Lent in the Christian calendar, has been observed by the church for centuries. Its exact date changes every year, because it is determined by when Easter falls, and it always falls in February or March. This year, it is on Wednesday, February 10th 2016.

School Children receive Ash on forehead 

In January, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, suggested that Easter should fall on the same date each year.

The plan, which would schedule the Christian festival on the same Sunday each year, is expected to be welcomed by parents and schools but may anger traditionalists.

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby  Photo: REUTERS

At present, Easter falls on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox around March 21. This means it can fall on any Sunday between March 22 and April 25 2016.

Archbishop Welby said that Easter should most likely be fixed for the second or third Sunday of April.

What is Lent?

Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent, a period of 40 days (excluding Sundays) which comes before Easter in the Christian calendar.

Christians who observe Lent use it as a time for prayer and penance.

By observing Lent, Christians are remembering the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who withdrew into the wilderness and fasted for 40 days before his crucifixion.

Filipinos with cross markings on their forehead as they attend a Holy Mass at a church during Ash Wednesday in Baclaran, south of Manila, Philippines

This year, Easter falls on Sunday, March 27 2016.

The English word Lent is a shortened form of the Old English word 'lenten', meaning 'spring'.

Why do people give things up for Lent?

Some people fast for the whole period of Lent, as a reflection of Jesus's sacrifice in the Judean desert. Some Christians will fast only on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday (the Friday before Easter Sunday)

However, many people, even those who do not go to church, choose to give up a particular vice, such as their favorite food, alcohol or smoking for the period of Lent.

Its a very must that every catholic abstain from meant or any food cooked with meat on Ash Wednesday

Fasting in other religions

Every year, many of the world's 1.6 billion Muslims observe Ramadan,the annual period of fasting, prayer and giving to charity.

Muslims believe that the Prophet Mohammed received the final part of a series of revelations from God, which became the Koran, during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, the month of Ramadan.

Muslim men pray at the East London Mosque during Ramadan  Photo: Getty

Followers mark this, the holiest month of the year, with a period of self-denial and purification.

Those observing the fast must abstain from all food or drink – as well as smoking and sex – between sunrise and sundown for a month.

This year, Ramadan starts on Monday, June 6th and continues for 30 days until Tuesday, July 5th.

How do Christians mark Ash Wednesday?

Christian churches hold special services at which worshippers are blessed on the forehead with a cross of ashes as a symbol of death and penance.

Celebrities flexing it too 

Ash selfie

The minister or priest will then say: "Remember you are dust and unto dust you shall return", or a similar phrase.

Sometimes, the mark is left on the forehead to show that they carry the sign of the cross into the world.

Worshippers in East Timor receive black soot marks on their foreheads  Photo: EPA

At other services, the ashes are washed off as a sign that the worshipper has been cleansed of their sins.

The ashes used at services on Ash Wednesday are made by burning palm crosses that were blessed the previous year.

burning dried palm font for ash