Catholics of Azerbaijan celebrating Ash Wednesday

The due information has been provided by head of Azerbaijan's Catholic church, ordinary Jan Chapla, Day.Az reports.

He noted that Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent.

At masses and services of worship on this day, ashes are imposed on the foreheads (or tonsure spots, in the case of some clergy) of the faithful.

The priest, minister, or in some cases officiating layperson marks the forehead of each participant with black ashes in the shape of a cross, which the worshiper traditionally retains until washing it off after sundown.

The act echoes the ancient Near Eastern tradition of throwing ash over one's head to signify repentance before God (as related in the Bible). The priest or minister says one of the following when applying the ashes:

"Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel", or "Remember, O man, that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return".

The ashes may be prepared by burning palm leaves from the previous year's Palm Sunday celebrations. They are blessed according to various rites proper to each liturgical tradition, sometimes involving the use of Holy Water.

/Day.Az/