The Christian World Celebrates Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday 2012
Bullit Marquez / AP

Observance
Priests mark the foreheads of devotees with black ashes in the sign of a cross in observance of Ash Wednesday to usher the 40-day Lenten Season on Wed. Feb. 22, 2012 in Manila, Philippines. Black ashes are imposed on the foreheads of the faithful in the sign of the cross to signify repentance before God.

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