Ash Wednesday is the start of the six-week period of Lent, an important time of the year for Christians that leads up to Easter.

Ash Wednesday is officially here! The Christian season of Lent — the 6-week period that leads up to Easter — starts. What we know on dates, meanings and more.

Keeping the ashes on the forehead is a choice and nobody is required to wear them after the practice is complete, according to uscatholic.org. It is believed that many Christians keep the ashes on ...