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Ash Wednesday
noun
the first day of Lent.
Ash Wednesday
noun
the first day of Lent, named from the practice of Christians of placing ashes on their heads as a sign of penitence
Ash Wednesday
The seventh Wednesday before Easter; the first day of Lent for most Christians (see also Christian); the day after “Fat Tuesday,†or Mardi Gras. It is frequently observed as a day of fasting and repentance for sin. In some churches, ashes are placed on the foreheads of worshipers on Ash Wednesday as a reminder of their mortality. The words of God to Adam in the Bible (see also Bible) are often used in the ceremony: “Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.â€
51³Ô¹Ï History and Origins
Origin of Ash Wednesday1
Example Sentences
A message on the X account of the 88-year-old Pope, who has been in hospital since February, was posted to mark Ash Wednesday.
Last week, Francis coughed repeatedly as he presided over Ash Wednesday services at a Roman church, and opted not to participate in the traditional procession that inaugurates the church’s Lenten season.
Last week, Francis coughed repeatedly during Ash Wednesday services that he presided over at a Roman church, and opted not to participate in the traditional procession that inaugurates the church’s Lenten season.
In fact, I’m the Aunt Crabby who didn’t think we should even be holding our citywide Super Bowl street party on Ash Wednesday, when everyone knows that Fat Tuesday is the right day for revelry.
For Mr. Diamond, a practicing Catholic, another deadline was also looming: This year, Valentine’s Day happens to fall on Ash Wednesday, customarily devoted to penitence and fasting.
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When To Use
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, the season of fasting and penitence that precedes Easter in some branches of Christianity.Ash Wednesday gets its name from the tradition of placing ashes on worshippers’ foreheads as a sign of penitence and a reminder of their mortality.
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