ASH WEDNESDAY: IMBIBE TRUE TEACHING OF JESUS CHRIST HINGED ON LOVE — PRIEST ADMONISHES CHRISTIANS

Special services have been held to observe the Ash Wednesday in churches across the country.

Ash Wednesday is the first day of the season of lent; a period of forty days that heralds the Holy Week, which culminates in Good Friday and Easter celebration.

At pope John Paul the ll Seminary Okpuno, Awka, the faithful were marked with the sign of the cross on their forehead using the Ash.

In a sermon, the Reverend Father Pascal-Paul Okeke called on Christians to use the period to pray, fast and give alms to the poor.

The Reverend Father Okeke urged the faithful to show genuine Love and true repentance.

The priest, who described the mark of Ash as a sign of humility and repentance, advised Christians to reach out to the less privileged.

A Christian faithful, Mrs. Ifeoma Ikeotuonye, explained that Christians must exploit the spiritual significance of the season by imbibing the true teachings of Christ hinged on love.

Another faithful, Dr. Peter Egwui, said it was important to keep the week Holy by embracing the peace brought by JESUS CHRIST to humanity.

Most of the faithful, who spoke with Radio Nigeria expressed their resolve to use the lenten season to pray for the nation.

The significance of Ash Wednesday lies in the spiritual discipline imbibed by the faithful through fasting, prayers, repentance and alms giving, thereby bringing them closer to God.

This underscores the importance of the victory of JESUS CHRIST over Satan who tempted him during the forty days period of fasting and payers.

NKIRU EGWUI