ISN'T IT TOO EARLY TO BEGIN LENT?

It seems Christmas was only yesterday. But on this year's abbreviated schedule, Easter is early. It will be celebrated March 23. The last time Easter fell this early was 1913. According to the formula worked out by church fathers in the fourth century, Easter can only fall one day earlier, on March 22, and it hasn't fallen that early since 1818.

WHAT IS ASH WEDNESDAY?

It's the day that marks the beginning of the 40-day season of Lent, which is meant to correspond to the 40 days Jesus wandered in the wilderness praying and fasting before his crucifixion. On Ash Wednesday, many Christians go to church to have ashes imposed on their foreheads as a vivid symbol of how to begin the inner journey of repentance and reconciliation. For years a Roman Catholic tradition, Ash Wednesday has been widely embraced by Protestant churches as well.

WHAT'S THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ASH WEDNESDAY AND EASTER?

On Ash Wednesday, Christians begin the process of preparation for Jesus' resurrection, which they celebrate at dawn on Easter. To figure out when Ash Wednesday occurs, count back 40 days from Easter, not including Sundays.

WHAT'S THE LATEST DATE THAT EASTER CAN FALL ON?

April 24, and Easter falls on that day in 2038.