March 1 Lent began in the Roman Catholic Church; it opened Ash Wednesday.
Each year, the beginning of Lent falls on a Wednesday, which is called Ash. On this day, the Mass held symbolically sprinkling ashes on their heads in all the Catholic churches in the world. This gesture should remind the faithful that "we are made of dust and to dust you turn".
On the one hand, symbolizes the ashes of time and the transience of earthly existence, and on the other - the cleansing of sins and the future resurrection of the dead.
The ashes used in the Mass - it burnt willow from last year's Palm Sunday.
The Catholic Church emphasizes the spiritual side of the post for more than physical. Believers in age from 14 to 60 years is only required to abstain from eating meat (consumption of dairy products and eggs are allowed) on Friday (as well as in all Fridays of the year, if they do not fall a great holiday), as well as a strict fast in Ash Wednesday and Good Friday (these days the faithful are allowed only once to eat their fill, if there are no medical contraindications).
At the same time every day of Lent in all Roman Catholic churches, besides the usual worship, organized special redemptive spiritual practices - "Way of the Cross" and "bitterness grief" in which believers are able to experience the events of the last hours of the earthly life of Jesus Christ, his crucifixion and death on the cross.
Traditionally, on the eve of Lent, Pope addresses the faithful a special message. This year Pope Francis called on Roman Catholics to "open the door of the weak and the poor, because the other person - it is a gift", and in relations with people urged to feel "grateful recognition of their values". "Every person - a gift, whether it's our neighbor or stranger beggar. Lent should be a time of grace in order to open the doors to everyone in need, recognizing Christ in every face ", - said the pontiff.
During the weekly general audience at the Vatican on March 1, he also has not avoided the topic began fasting. "The post - this time of penance, but also of hope during. Time prior to Easter, the Resurrection of the Lord, who freed man from the bondage of sin, "- he said,.
Later that same day, Pope Francis celebrated Mass at Santa Sabina Church of Rome, where, together with other priests and believers sprinkled ashes on his head.
Mass on Ash Wednesday and served in the Roman Catholic churches in Ukraine, including in the capital's cathedral of St. Alexander. Service led by the rector of the cathedral - on. Vitaly Bezshkury.
Recall on Monday, February 27 Lent began with the Christians of the Eastern rite. In 2017, the Western and Eastern Christians celebrate the Resurrection of Christ in one day - 16 April.