The Parish Priest of the Holy Family Parish, Ologo, Enugu State, Rev. Fr. Christian Oji, has asked Nigerians to utilize Ash Wednesday in 2023 to pray for peaceful elections across the nation.
He made his statement in an interview with the local media on Wednesday in Enugu.
He asserts that now is a time when Nigeria should be worried about what is taking place in the country, make amends with one another, seek peace and honesty, and assist the less fortunate.
“This is a period Nigerians should help the nation to achieve its greatness and purposes,” Oji stated.
According to the pastor, Ash Wednesday, is a time when Christians everywhere identify with Jesus Christ’s sufferings.
Emphasizing that this is a serious time when all Christians fast and engage in other practices that strengthen their trust in Jesus, such as abstinence and almsgiving.
“It is a period of reconciliation with one another and God as well as engage in fast.
“Ash defines that we are nothing but came from dust and to dust we shall return, it makes us to understand the nothingness of man and that he cannot exist without the presence of Christ in him,” he said.
He said that it was a moment for Christians to consider how their lives have benefited from what Christ has done for humanity and how it has aided them on their spiritual journey.
“It is a period we seek peace and identify with the cross and a special season for Christians,” he said.
Oji explained that Ash Wednesday is a day in the life of orthordocs 40 days of Lent were intended to be a time of retreat as part of the preparation for Easter.