Ash Wednesday is, in modern Christianity, a holy day of prayer, marking the beginning of Lent, the six weeks before Easter. Beginning on this date, which can be anywhere from February 4th to March 11th depending on the date of Easter, fasting and abstinence begin. 

On Ash Wednesday, the ashes of palm leaves from last year’s Palm Sunday celebrations are burned and put on the foreheads of churchgoers, as a sort of remembrance of death. “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Ashes represent penance and understanding that you have sinned. The history of the ashes come from a ceremony in which the Bishop blessed the shirts that sinning Christians were to wear during Lent, the forty days of penance, and sprinkled ashes over them from year-old palms. The penitants were turned from the church and not allowed back until Maundy Thursday. 

Most denominations of Christianity participate in Ash Wednesday and Lent besides Baptists and some reformed churches. During Lent, along with fasting and abstinence, a sacrifice, such as giving up alcohol or sugar, is very common. It is a general practice to take the day off work, and dining out or feasting is generally considered inappropriate. 

This year, Ash Wednesday will take place on March 5th, and Easter will be on April 20th.