Many Lent-observing denominations emphasize making a Lenten sacrifice, as well as fasting and abstinence during the season of Lent, particularly on Ash Wednesday. Main article: Fasting § Christianity Jesus Tempted in the Wilderness (Jésus tenté dans le désert), James Tissot, Brooklyn Museum These do observe Ash Wednesday, although often on a different day from the previously mentioned denominations, as its date is determined from the Orthodox calculation of Pascha, which may be as much as a month later than the Western observance of Easter. There are a relatively small number of Orthodox Christians who follow the Western Rite. Instead, Orthodox Great Lent begins on Clean Monday. The Eastern Orthodox Church does not, in general, observe Ash Wednesday. I invite you, therefore, in the name of Christ, to observe a Holy Lent, by self-examination and penitence, by prayer and fasting, by practicing works of love, and by reading and reflecting on God's Holy Word. We begin this holy season by acknowledging our need for repentance and our need for the love and forgiveness shown to us in Jesus Christ. The Reformed Church in America, for example, describes Ash Wednesday as a day "focused on prayer, fasting, and repentance." The liturgy for Ash Wednesday thus contains the following "Invitation to Observe a Lenten Discipline" read by the presider: Nevertheless, some churches in the Reformed tradition do observe Lent today, although often as a voluntary observance. Reformed churches have historically not observed Ash Wednesday, nor Lent in general, due to the Reformed regulative principle of worship. Some Independent Catholics, and the Community of Christ also observe it. Churches in the United Protestant tradition, such as the Church of North India and United Church of Canada honour Ash Wednesday too. The Moravian Church and Metropolitan Community Churches observe Ash Wednesday. Latin Church Catholics observe it, along with certain Protestants like Lutherans, PCUSA Presbyterians, Anglicans, some Reformed churches, some Baptists, Methodists (including Nazarenes and Wesleyans), the Evangelical Covenant Church, and some Mennonites. Observing and non-observing denominations Īsh Wednesday is observed by numerous denominations within Western Christianity. Ash Wednesday derives its name from this practice, in which the placement of ashes is accompanied by the words, "Repent, and believe in the Gospel" or the dictum "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return." The ashes are prepared by burning palm leaves from the previous year's Palm Sunday celebrations. Many Christians attend special Ash Wednesday church services, at which churchgoers receive ash on their foreheads. As it is the first day of Lent, many Christians begin Ash Wednesday by marking a Lenten calendar, praying a Lenten daily devotional, and making a Lenten sacrifice that they will not partake of until the arrival of Eastertide. Īsh Wednesday is traditionally observed with fasting and abstinence from meat in a number of Christian denominations. Īsh Wednesday is observed by Catholics, Lutherans, Moravians, Anglicans, Methodists, Nazarenes, as well as by some churches in the Reformed tradition, including certain Congregationalist, Continental Reformed, and Presbyterian churches. It is preceded by Shrove Tuesday and marks the first day of Lent, the six weeks of penitence before Easter. Holy Mass, Holy Qurbana, Service of worship, Divine ServiceĪsh Wednesday is a holy day of prayer and fasting in many Western Christian denominations. A member of the US Navy receives ashes aboard a ship.
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