For 2025, Ash Wednesday falls withing the first week of March and it marks the start of Lent.
This is a 40-day period of prayer, fasting, and giving as Christians prepare for Easter Sunday, when they celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
On this day, worshippers receive a cross of ashes on their foreheads from a priest.
This symbol shows their faith in Jesus and their sorrow for their sins. This is mostly marked by Chatholics.
This year’s Ash Wednesday comes as Pope Francis remains in hospital at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.
Also, he was admitted on 14 February with a respiratory illness, and doctors had to clear his airways after he suffered breathing difficulties.
Lent has been observed by Christians for centuries.
Also, it was officially set in 601 AD by Pope Gregory, originally lasting 46 days, with six Sundays as feast days.
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People fasted by eating only one meal a day and avoiding meat.
This year, Lent begins on Wednesday, 5 March (Ash Wednesday) and ends on Thursday, 17 April (Holy Thursday).
Fasting during Lent represents the fasting Jesus did while in the desert.
During Lent, some worshipers abstain from eating flesh meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and each Friday.
Worshipers abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent to honour Jesus sacrificing his flesh on Good Friday.
