Christians across the world marked the ash Wednesday today 2nd March, 2022 to usher in the 40-day lent period.
It is a day observed by Christians from various denominations, including Roman Catholics, Anglicans, and Lutherans, to mark the beginning of the holy period of prayers and fasting
The season begins on Ash Wednesday whereby priests burn palm leaves from previous year’s Palm Sunday to obtain ashes which they rub them on the foreheads of the congregation.
Globally, the day is characterized by Church services and symbolic placing of ashes on the heads of believers.
Ash Wednesday is usually a solemn reminder of human mortality and the need for reconciliation with God. It is commonly observed with ashes and fasting.
During the period Christians also observe acts of mercy such as fasting and almsgiving.
In the Christian calendar, it is preceded by Shrove Tuesday and falls on the first day of the six weeks of penitence before Easter.
The lent season also leads to the celebration of Easter which is the most significant event in the life of believers in the Christian faith.
In his Lenten message for 2022, Pope Francis and other Christian leaders around the globe have encouraged believers to fast and pray for Ukrainians on Ash Wednesday.
Last year, Christians were forced to mark this important event in their religious calendars at home following Covid-19 pandemic restrictions after the first case was reported in the country in March.
