When is Ash Wednesday? Christian-based holy day ushers in start of 2024 Easter season
If you see some people walking around with marks that look like a cross on their forehead on Wednesday don't worry, they are supposed to be there.
On Wednesday, people who practice Christianity, mostly Catholicism, take part in a mass that marks the countdown toward Easter, Ash Wednesday. The Christian-based holy day is one of the "most popular and important holy days" in the religion. It is also the time of year when many in the faith will give up something for Lent.
Ash Wednesday marks a time for those of the Christian faith to confess their sins and profess their devotion to God leading up to Easter.
Here's when Ash Wednesday is and what comes after it.
When is Ash Wednesday 2024?
Ash Wednesday falls on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024.
What is Ash Wednesday?
In the Christian faith, Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent and the start of the Easter season.
Those who participate in Ash Wednesday, usually mark the day with prayer, fasting and for Catholics (and some Protestants) a religious mass to receive ashes on their forehead. This day starts the Lenten period of repentance and preparation.
The ashes that believers receive on their foreheads is in the pattern of a cross and serve as a reminder of their mortality. The ashes are created by burning palms from the previous year's Palm Sunday. Those who observe are also expected to fast that day and usually abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and then on Fridays throughout Lent.
The Wednesday the holy day falls on is 46 days before Easter and typically falls between mid-February to the beginning of March each year depending on when Easter Sunday is.
Is Valentine's Day and Ash Wednesday the same day?
Yes. This year the holy day and the day for lovers are on the same day.
When is Lent?
Many of the Christian faith will also be observing Lent leading up to Easter.
Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent and lasts about six weeks. Believers are meant to observe that period of time with self-sacrifice, prayer and other religious activities leading up to Easter, the day believed to be when Jesus Christ rose from the dead to sit at the right hand of God.
People who observe usually give up a certain "vice" or something that they enjoy in their lives for the time as well. What people give up can range from chocolate to social media.
When is Easter 2024?
In 2024 Easter is on Sunday, March 31.
For Eastern Orthodox Christians, Easter is Sunday, May 5.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: When is Ash Wednesday 2024? What is it and when Lent, Easter starts
