Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Great LentAsh Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, which is celebrated by Christians. During Lent, the church prescribes the rejection of meat and alcohol. But despite the importance of bodily abstinence, acts of mercy and prayer are even more important.

At church services of this day, a special ceremony is held to sprinkle the heads of believers with consecrated ashes (sometimes instead of sprinkling the head with ash on the forehead, a sign of the cross is applied). This rite marks the repentance and repentance required of Christians during fasting.

This custom has an ancient biblical origin - in the Old Testament, sprinkling the head with ash was a symbol of repentance and humility.