Ash Wednesday
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Ash Wednesday is a holy day of prayer and fasting in many Western Christian denominations. It is preceded by Shrove Tuesday and marks the first day of Lent: the seven weeks of prayer, fasting, and alm
A cross marked in ash on a worshiper's forehead
The faithful receive ashes during the celebration of the Mass in an Evangelical-Lutheran parish church.
Jesus Tempted in the Wilderness (Jésus tenté dans le désert), James Tissot, Brooklyn Museum
A priest blesses ashes.
Mardi Gras
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Mardi Gras, also known as Shrove Tuesday, is the final day of Carnival; it thus falls on the day before the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday. Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday", referring to it
Ash Wednesday
…Sunday 2025 date 5 March 2026 date 18 February 2027 date 10 February 2028 date 1 March Duration 24 hours Frequency Annual Related to Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras Shrovetide/Carnival Lent Easter Eastertide Ash Wednesday is a holy day of prayer and fasting in many Western Christian denominations. It is preceded…
Celebrations in New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Mardi Gras in Dakar, Senegal
Mardi Gras in Marseille, France
Mardi Gras in Binche, Belgium