Today is Ash Wednesday
By: Staff
Updated: February 13, 2013
Today is Ash Wednesday and the first day of Lent for many Christian churches.
It's a season of prayer and penance -- and a period of preparation for the Easter season.
Lent lasts six and a half weeks, ending on Easter.
Observances of Lent date back to the Fourth Century.
Christian churches in the Eastern world follow a different timetable for Lent.
It's a season of prayer and penance -- and a period of preparation for the Easter season.
Lent lasts six and a half weeks, ending on Easter.
Observances of Lent date back to the Fourth Century.
Christian churches in the Eastern world follow a different timetable for Lent.

