Ash Wednesday is an annual holy day celebrated by Christians with prayers. It is preceded by Shrove Tuesday and falls on the first day of Lent, the six weeks of penitence before Easter.
Ash Wednesday is traditionally observed by Western Christians as a solemn reminder of human mortality and the need for reconciliation with God.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the penitential Lenten season. It is commonly observed with ashes and fasting.
It is observed by Catholics in the Roman Rite, Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists, Moravians, and Independent Catholics, as well as by many from the Reformed faiths.
As Christians around the world mark the start of Lent with Ash Wednesday, some worshipers are finding churches closed and rituals changed by virus fears.
