For  Christians around the world, today marks  the Feast of the Ascension, known as the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, is a great feast that marks the bodily Ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven.

"[...] Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen." (Acts 1:1)

The feast is traditionally celebrated on a Thursday, the fortieth day after Easter. "After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God." (Acts 1:3-4) This year, the celebration comes on the 17th of May

According to the Roman Catholic tradition (as well followed by some Protestants), Ash Wednesday is the first day of the Lenten Season of prayer and fasting, which lasts 40 days and officially ends on the Holy Thursday, preceding Easter. The date for the Ash Wednesday changes every year, depending on when Easter is. Ash Wednesday 2012 was on February 22nd.

Why the celebration is called Ash Wednesday?

During a special mass service on that day, a priest applies the ashes on our foreheads in the sign of a cross or simply sprinkles the ashes on our head saying the words: "Remember, you are dust and