Wednesday February 10, marks the beginning of the celebration of Lent in the Christian calendar which has been observed by many people but Britons for centuries.
Although the date varies from year to year, yet this year, Ash Wednesday falls on February 10, 2016, and marks the first day of Lent, a period of 40 days that comes before the Easter in the Christian Calendars.
For some Christians, Lent is a time for prayer remembering the sacrifice of Christ during wilderness and before his crucification.
Generally, Ash Wednesday is celebrated by holding special services at which the worshippers are blessed with a cross of ashes on the forehead as a symbol of penance or death.
Additionally, on Ash Wednesday, Catholics are supposed to observe a fast, but can have one meal and two snacks throughout the day.
For the orthodox followers of Christ, the rules are a bit more harsh, where they abstain from meat the week prior to Ash Wednesday, and have only two meals during the first five days, according to Metro.
Sometimes the mark is left on the forehead (denoting the carrying of sign of cross throughout the world), and sometimes after service they are washed off.
The ashes are based by burning the blessed palm crosses of previous years.
The ash crosses (due to which the name "Ash Wednesday") are drawn on to the forehead while the words "repent and believe in the gospel" or "remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return" are spoken.
There are several celebratory actions associated with Ash Wednesday. For example, in Southern Germany, people wash off their wallets in fountains to bring good luck, wealth and fortune on this special day. While in Iceland, children dress up in costumes and sing in shops, according to Telegraph.
The annual observance for Ash Wednesday in 2016 included church services, during which mass is celebrated. The Vatican broadcasted its services at 9.30 a.m. EST.
