Ash Wednesday 2023

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Christians Observe Ash Wednesday Ahead Of Lent

Christians from different denominations around the world are observing the holy day of prayer and fasting, Ash Wednesday. This is a Christian holy day that marks the beginning of the season of Lent, which is a period of 40 days (not including Sundays) leading up to Easter. Unlike other holy days such as Christmas, Ash Wednesday does not have a specific date on the calendar. It usually falls in the late February or early March; this year, Ash Wednesday fell on February 22nd. This special day is observed by many Christians, including Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, and Methodists.

On Ash Wednesday, many Christians attend church services where they receive ashes on their forehead in the shape of a cross. The ashes are typically made by burning palm branches from the previous year's Palm Sunday celebration. The ashes symbolize repentance and mortality, reminding Christians of their own mortality and their need for God's forgiveness.
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During Lent, Christians are encouraged to engage in prayer and fasting as a way of deepening their relationship with God and preparing for the celebration of Easter. Lent is seen as a time of reflection, repentance, and spiritual renewal.

Pope Francis in his message for Ash Wednesday urged Christians to enter into a deep personal connection with Jesus Christ.

"Jesus is himself the way, and therefore, both in the liturgical journey (of Lent) and in the journey of the synod, the church does nothing other than enter ever more deeply and fully into the mystery of Christ the saviour," A section of the Pope's message read.