Christians across the world are celebrating Ash Wednesday today. The holiday marks the beginning of Lent, a 40 day period where many Christians examine and rededicate their faith.
Normally, it's a day of prayer, but some churches have nothing but empty pews. Some sects of Catholicism, like the Maronite's at Saint Elias in Roanoke celebrate Ash Wednesday on Monday.
The church's leader, Father Kevin Beaton, says there's no biblical reason why, but the concepts of Lent are the same.
"The idea is to be converted from within, to say 'how did i live my live last year during lent? Have I changed my ways? Have I converted or had a change of heart?" and do I need to do something different this year?'"
Maronite Catholics have roots in the Middle East, but are also represented in the Vatican.
