Ash Wednesday is one of the most solemn of Christian dates. It's the start of a weekslong period for the faithful called Lent that comes ahead of one of the most joyous of Christian holidays.

“Oh, yeah,” I thought. “Ash Wednesday.” I hadn’t forgotten. I had celebrated Mardi Gras the day before by reposting memes ...

Editor’s Note: The article first published in 2020 by The Conversation. For Christians, the death and resurrection of Jesus is a pivotal event commemorated each year during a season of ...