~ 40 Days Before Easter ~
Important
Notes
1)
For many “Ash Wednesday” marks the beginning of the Easter season.
2)
Ash Wednesday occurs 40 days before Easter (not counting Sundays) which makes
Ash Wednesday in 2023 to be this past February 22nd.
3)
Some churches observe the season of Lent which begins on Ash Wednesday by
fasting (giving up) something. For some it may be certain foods. For others it
may be a variety of other things.
4)
Some churches use the symbolism of marking the foreheads of those participating
with ashes in the form of a cross. In the Old Testament ashes were sometimes
used as a symbol of humility.
5)
History. Many believe the tradition goes back to the eleventh century.
Some believe the practice to go back to Pope Gregory I in the late 500s. In
reality we find ashes being placed on foreheads in the Old Testament (for
example 2 Samuel 13:19).
~ Robert
Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT
LIFE NOW blog.
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