6 Things You must Know about Ash Wednesday
4. There is no particular rule that dictates how Ash Wednesday must be celebrated and how the ash must be placed
The rituals and customs that are followed on Ash Wednesday largely depends on the local customs and traditions and in some paces even according to the tastes and beliefs of the priest.
5. Ash Wednesday signifies the beginning of Lent
The forty days of fasting or lent begins on Ash Wednesday. Although many do not really fast the whole day, a lot of people give up on their favorite things for forty days as a sign of their belief or repentance. Again there are no set rules and people are free to follow any diet they wish to.
6. Each denomination celebrates Ash Wednesday differently
It is in the Catholic Church that Ash Wednesday id celebrated with a lot of rituals. Other denominations of the Christian faith keep it simple with a sermon and no lacing of ashes on the forehead.
There are a lot of references in the bible about placing of ashes on the forehead as a sign of repentance. Although it was never mentioned in the bible that this day must be celebrated as Ash Wednesday, it’s been followed for centuries and continues to this day. The forty days of fasting after Ash Wednesday is usually followed by much celebration, especially in the form of carnivals in the Latin American countries.
