When is Ash Wednesday?

What is Ash Wednesday?

Ash Wednesday is a holiday found in the Western Christianity calendar. This day marks the first day of Lent, a period of religious preperation, and occurs exactly forty-six days before Easter. The date of Ash Wednesday is moveable because it depends on the date of Easter. The name Ash Wednesday comes from the practice of placing ash on the foreheads of participants as a sign of mouring and repentance. Traditionally, the ashes used are from the burning of the palm branches used during Palm Sunday from the year before. Ash Wednesday is celebrated by Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, and some Baptist denominations.