What does Ash Wednesday mean? Christian holy day is first day of Lent

The Easter season begins today with Ash Wednesday, and for Christians, it is a time to focus on repentance and self-denial leading up to the holiday that the faithful believe celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Ash Wednesday is marked by Catholics and some Protestant denominations with special services and fasting. Ash Wednesday also marks the first day of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting leading up to Easter. Then comes Palm Sunday followed by Good Friday and then the main event, Easter.

So what does Ash Wednesday mean? What is Lent? And how are the two Christian holidays marked? Here's what to know.

Stacey Berling, center, of Grove City, kneels with her sons, Harrison, 2, left, and Finneus, 4, right, as she receives ashes from Deacon Andrew Ames Fuller during an Ash Wednesday service as part of "Ashes To Go" on Wednesday, February 26, 2020 at Upper Arlington Lutheran Church Mill Run Campus in Hilliard, Ohio. Worshippers were able to come to the church and either stay in their car or come inside the building lobby to receive their ashes in lieu of a formal mass or service. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Christian season of Lent.

When is Ash Wednesday 2026?

Ash Wednesday meaning

Ash Wednesday is a holy day observed by Roman Catholics, Anglicans and some Protestant denominations, according to Christianity.com. It starts the Lenten season by focusing on repentance and prayer, usually during a special Ash Wednesday Mass or service.

The holy day gets its name from the ashes placed on the believers' foreheads in the shape of a cross. The ashes are usually accompanied by the words "remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return," according to the website, putting emphasis on mortality and the need for repentance.

How long is Ash Wednesday Mass?

According to comments in the r/Catholicism subreddit, Ash Wednesday is usually a full Mass and will last as long as the typical Sunday service. Some parishes may offer a shorter Mass. The actual amount of time that takes depends on the parish.

Is Ash Wednesday the beginning of Lent?

Yes, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, which in 2026 is Feb. 18.

What is Lent?

Lent is a 40-day period of sober observance, according to Christianity.com, marked by fasting, giving up something or abstinence to "clear distractions and focus on Christ."

The 40 days of Lent are commonly thought to refer to Jesus Christ's 40 days in the wilderness being tempted. But the number 40 is common in the Bible. It comes up in numerous stories, such as the Hebrews spending 40 years in the wilderness, the 40 days and nights of rain during the great flood and the 40 days Moses spent on Mount Sinai, among others, according to Christianity.com.

How is the date of Easter determined each year?

Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent are always on different dates each year because Easter is on a different Sunday each year.

Easter Sunday always occurs on the first Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon, the full moon that occurs on or after the spring equinox in March, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. In the Gregorian calendar, it is always observed on a Sunday between March 22 and April 25. However, Easter can be observed between April 4 and May 8 in the Eastern Orthodox Church, which follows the Julian calendar.

When is Easter 2026?

Easter Sunday 2026 will happen on April 5.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: What does Ash Wednesday mean? Christian holy day is first day of Lent