Catholic churches and some Protestant churches - including Anglicans and, increasingly, Lutherans and Methodists - will hold services Wednesday in which churchgoers will be marked with ashen crosses to symbolize mortality and repentance before God.
"Remember you are dust, and unto dust you shall return," the pastors will say.
The practice of marking foreheads with ash - traditionally taken from the burned palm branches kept from the previous year's Palm Sunday - began in the seventh century. The observance marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period, excluding Sundays, that leads up to Easter.
Eastern Orthodox churches observe Lent, marked by increased fasting and charity, oftentimes more strictly than Western churches. But because they follow a different calendar for Easter than do Catholics and Protestants, Lent begins for them this year on March 10 - a day called Clean Monday. Eastern Orthodox Christians do not honor Ash Wednesday and will observe Easter on April 27.
jravitz@sltrib.com
Ash Wednesday services
* The Cathedral of the Madeleine will celebrate Ash Wednesday with Masses in English at 8 am. and noon featuring the choristers of Madeleine Choir School, and at 6 p.m. with the Cathedral Choir. Mass in Spanish will be celebrated at 8 p.m. with the Cathedral's Spanish Choir. For more information, call 801-328 8941 or visit www.saltlakecathedal.org.
* Cottonwood Presbyterian Church, 1580 E. Vine St. (6100 South), Murray, will hold an individualized meditation period from 4-8 p.m. Worshippers may drop in anytime during that period and receive imposition of ashes as they leave. For details, call 801-278-4619.
* St. Catherine's Newman Center will offer ecumenical services at 11:50 a.m., 12:10, 5 and 9 p.m. at the center, 170 S. University St., Salt Lake City. For more information, call 801-359-6066.
