Ash Wednesday | Day of Ashes

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. Also known as Day of Ashes. This day is marked with services of penitence (fasting and repentance). Celebrated by many Christian faiths including Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, and Roman Catholics.

Ash Wednesday | Day of Ashes

Ash Wednesday Day of Ashes

This day is also marked with fasting. It is used to celebrate 40 days of fasting (excluding Sundays) as found in the four gospels. Usually, a cross is formed on the forehead of believers using ashes. Ash Wednesday is also known as Day of Ashes. This day follows Fat Tuesday aka Mardi Gras. (Shrove Tuesday)

Usually during Lent people will give up something for the 40 days, known as fasting. The Bible never mentions anything about Ash Wednesday, however, it does mention Lent.

According to Got Questions? Using dust and ashes as symbols of repentance and/or mourning (2 Samuel 13:19; Esther 4:1; Job 2:8; Daniel 9:3). The modern tradition of rubbing a cross on a person’s forehead supposedly identifies that person with Jesus Christ.

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. Also known as Day of Ashes. This day is marked with services of penitence (fasting and repentance). Celebrated by many Christian faiths including … #AshWednesday Click To Tweet

One thing about people fasting for Lent is they tell people they are fasting. The Bible tells us we are not to tell other people are fasting or even have a long face about us while we fast. Matthew 6:16-18.

Yes, being repentful is something we should do a Christian daily. Not just ceremonially a few times a year or so. Jesus calls us to repent and turn away from our sins. We don’t need ashes put on us to show we have repented or even fasting. Being repentful is not just saying I am sorry for sinning, but a total 180, a turn in direction from what pulls us away from God.

The Day of Ashes commemorates the repentance of sin. On Ash Wednesday, Christians have ashes placed on their foreheads in the shape of a cross in recognition of their need to repent. Many churches host Ash Wednesday services, and those who receive the ashes are not only reminded of their mortality and sinfulness, but also of the opportunity for absolution. Christians typically fast on Ash Wednesday, though some simply abstain from eating meat.

This all leads up to Easter / Resurrection Sunday.

Future Ash Wednesday Dates

  • 2024 – 13 February
  • 2025 – 5 March
  • 2026 – 18 February
  • 2027 – 10 February
  • 2028 – 1 March
Sources:

WikiPedia

Got Questions?

First published February 2018. Last updated or republished February 14, 2024.

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Author: Steve Patterson

A Christian Blogger that enjoys blogging about the Bible, Theology, God, Jesus Christ, Christian Music, Family, Cats, Odd Holidays, sewing and much more. I have been blogging since 2004, however, I have been blogging on Courageous Christian Father since 2012. I enjoy listening to Christian Music. I am married with 1 daughter, 2 step-sons and a step daughter.

3 thoughts on “Ash Wednesday | Day of Ashes

  1. Dear. Lord i come before thee on my face and ask to forgive me i love thee with all that i am father take me father please and heal me so that i can go on as your soldier you see i am exhausted and need your strenght your love and care and touch cover me Jesus i am yours. Amen.

  2. Dear. Lord i come before thee on my face and ask to forgive me i love thee with all that i am father take me father please and heal me so that i can go on as your soldier you see i am exhausted and need your strenght your love and care and touch cover me Jesus i am yours. Amen.

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