Christians around the world, including Guyana, on Wednesday made their way down to their respective places of worship to participate in the Ash Wednesday service which commemorates the first day of Lent.
Lent is usually observed for 46 days prior to Easter. While it is called the 40 days of Lent; in actuality, it is 46 days since Sundays are not counted.
The period is significant for Christians as it represents the number of days according to the Bible that Jesus Christ fasted – 40 days.
Ash Wednesday is observed by fasting, abstinence from meat, and repentance – a day of contemplating one’s transgressions.
Catholics being marked with the symbolic cross on the forehead during an Ash Wednesday service at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Ashes are used to mark churchgoers on the forehead with a sign of the cross, to symbolise repentance for sin. The ashes are collected from burnt palms from the last Palm Sunday.
Lent usually ends on Holy Saturday, which is the day before Easter Sunday when Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Guyana Times visited the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Brickdam, Georgetown, and the St George’s Cathedral.
Assistant Parish Priest of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Father Carl Philadelphia, explained that in Guyana and all over the world, Christians begin Lent and Lent is a season of observance of “self-denial where we begin our fasting, praying and giving arms.”
Bishop of the Diocese of Guyana, Father Charles Davidson places the sign of the cross on parishioners’ foreheads at the St George’s Cathedral on Wednesday
The Priest shared that the period is observed by Christians so that they can be like Christ, who himself fasted for 40 days before he was crucified.
The Christian leader added that persons tend to get carried away with Lent being associated with giving up food but explained that followers can give up anything.
It was further explained by him that Christians pool the money they save during the self-denial period and would give it to the poor.
Meanwhile, Guyana Times caught up with a few persons who will be participating in the 40-day fast.
One mother, who gave her name only as Laura, said she travelled to Georgetown all the way from the Linden Highway to make it to the service.
An elderly man, St Claire Griffith, said he usually attends the service with his wife. He shared, “From my understanding it is the beginning of the season where you make some sacrifices unto the Lord. Once you believe in Lent as such it ought not to be hard for you to make a sacrifice”.
Ann-Marie, a Christian young lady, said she has been observing Lent for several years. “Ash Wednesday is basically when God starts His journey to give his life for us and to take away all our sins and for Lent we give up something or we fast but it has to mean something to you”.
