|
Ash Wednesday in Iceland is the period of repentance and the start of Lent according to the Christian Mythology. In the ancient times ashes were used to express penitence. For the expressions of sorrows the penitents smear the ashes on the forehead. Ash Wednesday is generally celebrated 40 days before the arrival of Easter and it comes on the seventh Wednesday before Easter. It’s the beginning of the season of Lent which is considered as a very holy season. During this period the followers mainly devote their time for penance, reflection and fasting which is for the preparation for the Easter Day. Palm leaves are used for ashes and the previous year’s leaves are taken for Ash Wednesday.
In Ash Wednesday the Ashes used are of the blessed palm leaves of the Palm day Celebration. The Ashes are diluted and christened with scented holy water. The Ashes symbolizes penance and reminds the human folk that God is gracious and He listens to every pure heart. The use of ashes mainly speaks that we human beings come from the ashes and go back to the ashes and everything is immortal. However some Christian communities don’t celebrate Ash Wednesday in Iceland as they say it’s not mentioned in the scripture.
The History of Ash Wednesday is very long and it has its own significance. On this pious day the ashes are smeared on the forehead of the faithful follower of Christ and remind him of the inevitable death and the sins they do in their life. 'As we do the same we get back 'is the main objective of Ash Wednesday and we human beings should always be humble and grateful to the almighty .Its an integral celebration of Iceland and is considered among one of the public Iceland Holiday.
|
