Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday
February 22nd, 2012 - 12:10 am ICT by Aishwarya BhattLos Angeles, Feb 21 (THAINDIAN NEWS) Tomorrow (the 22nd of February 2012) is Ash Wednesday. The day is one of the most important on the Christian calendar marking the beginning of the 40 day journey of Lent.
Lent is the period where Christians stay away from food primary because as a sign of sacrifice. Giving alms of alms is encouraged during the period. The period is observed by several Christian denominations including the Catholic, Lutheran, Episcopalian and the Anglican.
The Catholic faith goes further to encourage followers to stay away from certain kinds of food during period. Ash Wednesday is marked with the placement of ash on the foreheads of faithfuls to signify the fact that men came from ash and will return to ash eventually.
Mostly when the ashes are being marked on the forehead, the words “Remember that thou art dust, and to dust thou shalt return” from Genesis 3:19 are quoted. Other priests also quote the words “Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel” which is found in Mark 1:15.
The end of the solemn period of the Lent often marks the beginning of the massive Christian festival Easter, which is used to mark the death and resurrection of JESUS CHRIST.
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