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How often does Ash Wednesday fall on March 9?
Ash Wednesday was my birthday this year
celebrated with fasting, abstinence and penance!
I believe this is the first time in my lifetime.
Someone told me this happens every 77 years.
How often does Ash Wednesday fall on March 9?
Year Ash Wednesday
2008 February 6
2009 February 25
2010 February 17
2011 March 9
2012 February 22
2013 February 13
2014 March 5
2015 February 18
2016 February 10
2017 March 1
2018 February 14
2019 March 6
2020 February 26
2021 February 17
2022 March 2
2023 February 22
So it is definitely less than once every 16 years!
Shaun - great answer - that's as far as I got when I gave up. Orbital mechanics meets ecclesiastical calendar; my maths aren't up to it, but I'm sure an answer is out there!
2 Answers
- ?Lv 51 decade agoFavorite Answer
Ash Wednesday is dependent on Easter's date, which changes dramatically based on the moon cycle and the Vernal equinox. Easter is the Sunday after the first full moon after the 21st of March.
Then subtract 46 days, and you get Ash Wednesday.
So, a Wikipedia check shows that this can happen anywhere from Feb. 4 (5 leap year), to March 10.
That is a 36 day range. Looking at history, this is the first time since 1900 or even farther that March 9 was an Ash Wednesday. Because leap years factor into how often this happens, I can't say for sure that there is a set number of years between when each March 9 Ash Wednesday is, but I would say its pretty rare.
