Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent, a period of fasting, reflection — and fish fries

It is the week of Ash Wednesday, a solemn day of fasting and reflection that marks the beginning of Lent, the most penitential season in the church calendar for Catholics and many other Christians.

On Ash Wednesday, many Christians attend church for a service that emphasizes the beginning of a period of reflection, self-denial, and repentance from sin.

The faithful receive ashes, usually imposed in the form of a cross on the forehead. The officiant usually says, “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return,” a stark reminder that death is a part of life and that one should focus on things of the spirit. Or the officiant says, “Repent and believe the gospel.”

Ash Wednesday is considered a mandatory fasting day for Roman Catholics aged 18 to 59, which means limiting food to one full meal and two smaller meals than normal.

Many Protestants – especially those in Episcopal, Lutheran, and other historic churches – also celebrate Ash Wednesday with similar liturgies.

In recent years, many Episcopal and other churches in the United States have begun offering “Ashes to Go” in parking lots, commuter rail stations and elsewhere. The clergy suggest imposing ashes on busy workers and anyone wishing to participate in the ritual but lacking time to attend church.

Chaplains of various faiths offer ashes in airport chapels and other sites.

Among other Protestants, such as Baptists and other evangelical groups, traditions vary. Some observe Ash Wednesday and Lent, others do not. But they often have their own penitential and ascetic traditions. Many Pentecostals, for example, fast for a period in January to dedicate the coming year.

Members of another of the world’s largest religions are also about to begin their period of prayer and fasting. This year, the start of Ramadan and the start of Lent could fall on the same date – of course in the same week.

Ash Wednesday marks the start of the Lent season, leading to celebrations of Jesus’ death on Good Friday and resurrection at Easter.

Ash Wednesday is designated by counting backwards 40 days from Easter, minus Sundays.

Different churches have found different ways to calculate the traditional 40 days of Lent, but the number itself is important. It connects to the biblical symbolism of the number 40, generally used for times of trial, judgment, purification or renewal. More directly, it alludes to the 40 days that Jesus fasted in the desert after his baptism, in preparation for his public ministry.

During Lent, the faithful devote themselves to prayer and other devotions, as well as charitable actions, fasting, and other forms of self-discipline. People talk about giving up something for Lent – ​​stereotypically chocolate, but really anything you find hard to live without. These days, that might mean reducing screen time.

Many churches also hold additional devotional times and other activities. Catholics often hold group meditations on the Stations of the Cross, marking different events surrounding the crucifixion of Jesus.

Practicing Catholics also abstain from meat on Fridays – but not fish.

At this point, Lent is not all solemnity. For many Catholic parishes in the United States, the Friday fish fry has become a tradition combining food, fundraising and community bonding.

Ash Wednesday is not a fixed date. Its calendar is linked to Easter Sunday. For most Christians, Easter will fall on April 5 this year.

Easter moves every year, oscillating between March 22 and April 25, according to an ancient formula where Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon of spring.

Eastern Orthodox Christians calculate the start and end of their “Great Lent” differently. They begin their celebrations on a Monday – this year on February 23 – which they call “Clean Monday” or “Pure Monday”. Although they do not use ashes, they begin a period of penance and fasting. Great Lent continues until the Friday before Holy Week, including Sunday.

The dates of Great Lent are also determined in tandem with Orthodox calculations of Easter (Passover), which differ from those of Western churches. Orthodox Easter takes place on April 12 this year – like most years, falling later than Catholic and Protestant celebrations.

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