As winter gives way to early spring, faith communities across the region are observing important holidays as Christians begin observing their holiest time of the year, Jews celebrate the joy of Purim and Passover, and Muslims mark the revelation of the Quran during the sacred month of Ramadan.

Ash Wednesday, on March 5, marked the beginning of the Christian season of Lent, initiating a 40-day period of prayer, fasting, and reflection for Christians leading up to Easter, which falls on April 20. On Ash Wednesday, clergy across the region marked foreheads with ashes in the shape of a cross.

Meanwhile, Purim commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people from Haman, an adviser to the Persian King Ahasuerus who had plotted their destruction, as recounted in the Book of Esther. The holiday features the reading of the Megillah (Scroll of Esther), festive meals, gift-giving, and charitable donations.

Local celebrations include a Bob Dylan-themed Purim event at Germantown Jewish Center on Thursday, March 13, featuring a creative Megillah reading, costume contest, and traditional hamantaschen cookies. Congregations Mishkan Shalom in Roxborough and Or Hadash in Fort Washington will join forces for a Purim carnival on March 16, and Beth Tikvah-B’nai Jeshurun in Erdenheim will celebrate with a “Wickedly Good Purim,” March 13, which incorporates elements of the show “Wicked” into the observance. On April 12, Jews will begin celebrating Passover which commemorates the Israelites' freedom from slavery.

Ash Wednesday, Lent and Purim overlap with Ramadan, the month-long period that commemorates the revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad, which started at sundown on Feb. 28, and is marked by fasting, prayer and reflection.