The history of Ash Wednesday is far-reaching. Originally, Lent served as a period for Christians to prepare for Easter baptism, with fasting limited to a day or two. This practice persisted for ...

Some refer to Ash Wednesday and Lent as the “40 days and 40 nights” period that Jesus is said in the bible to have spent fasting and being tempted by the devil. Ashes are marked on a person’s forehead ...

While priorities have shifted when it comes to religious practices in modern Ireland, there’s undoubtedly still a fixation around lent and the days that proceed it. Today, on Ash Wednesday, many ...

at the start of the period of Lent observed by Christians. However, thousands of years ago it is thought to have originated from a tradition of Pagan festivals that mark the beginning of spring ...