What is Ash Wednesday and how should I mark it?
Miercoles de Ceniza (Picture: Flickr/rpphotos)
Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent and a day of fasting for many Christians.
But what is the meaning of the celebration, and what should we do to mark it?
Ash Wednesday, which always follows Shrove Tuesday, aka pancake day, marks the first day of the Lenten season, which is the 40-day period of fasting and introspection, confession and penance for many Christians.
The 40-day period reflects the suffering endured by Jesus when he fasted in the wilderness of the desert before beginning his ministry.
During his time in the desert he was (according to the Bible) tempted three times by Satan, and each time he overcame the temptation.
When he was then crucified, his disciples fasted, giving us the final fasting period of Lent during Holy Week.

Many people, even non-churchgoers, will still seek to give something up that they enjoy during Lent. Frequently this takes the shape of alcohol, chocolate or other ‘treats’.
However, certain sectors of the Christian religion mark Lent in different ways.
While the Church of England has no fixed rules on how to approach the fasting of Lent, other areas of the Christian religion do.
Anglicans therefore are left to choose how to deprive themselves of something during Lent.
On Ash Wednesday, Catholics are supposed to fast, but rules allow one meal and two snacks during the day.
Orthodox Christians fast before and throughout the Lenten period in a strict fashion.
The week before Lent (Cheesefare week) they give up meat and other animal products, except dairy and eggs. The first week of Lent, from Ash Wednesday, they eat only two full meals during the first five days. Nothing is eaten from Monday morning until Wednesday evening. Then on all weekdays during Lent, meat and animal, fish, dairy, wine and oil are not eaten. On Saturdays and Sundays, wine and oil are allowed.
During Holy Week – the last week before Easter Sunday, which this year falls on March 27 – a strict fast is observed from Thursday to Saturday night.
The bible suggests that fasting should be done discreetly, so as not to draw attention to the person fasting. It is not supposed to be an outward gesture to be applauded – it is a personal sacrifice made between the person fasting and God.
How does Ash Wednesday get its name?
Ash Wednesday gets its name from the ritual of marking churchgoers heads with ash.