Ash Wednesday in the West Bank (13 images)

A Catholic priest places ashes on the forehead of a nun during an Ash Wednesday mass in the Church of Annunciation in Beit Jala, West Bank, February 13, 2013. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent in the Western Christian calendar and falls 46 days before Easter. Ashes are gathered from the burning palm branches of the previous Palm Sunday and placed on the forehead or heads of Christians on Ash Wednesday. The ashes are a sign of mourning and repentance to God and marks the 40 days of prayer and fasting before Easter Sunday. UPI/Debbie Hill.

A Christian woman prays after lighting a candle in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City on Ash Wednesday, February 13, 2013. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent in the Western Christian calendar and falls 46 days before Easter. Ashes are gathered from the burning palm branches of the previous Palm Sunday and placed on the forehead or heads of Christians on Ash Wednesday. The ashes are a sign of mourning and repentance to God and marks the 40 days of prayer and fasting before Easter Sunday. UPI/Debbie Hill.

A Christian pilgrim lights candles in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City on Ash Wednesday, February 13, 2013. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent in the Western Christian calendar and falls 46 days before Easter. Ashes are gathered from the burning palm branches of the previous Palm Sunday and placed on the forehead or heads of Christians on Ash Wednesday. The ashes are a sign of mourning and repentance to God and marks the 40 days of prayer and fasting before Easter Sunday. UPI/Debbie Hill.

A nun kneels and prays in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City on Ash Wednesday, February 13, 2013. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent in the Western Christian calendar and falls 46 days before Easter. Ashes are gathered from the burning palm branches of the previous Palm Sunday and placed on the forehead or heads of Christians on Ash Wednesday. The ashes are a sign of mourning and repentance to God and marks the 40 days of prayer and fasting before Easter Sunday. UPI/Debbie Hill.