Ash Wednesday

The name Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, is derived from the medieval custom of the penitents coming to the church on this day in sackcloth and with naked feet, and who, after finishing their prayers threw ashes, made from palm branches blessed the previous Palm Sunday, over their heads. The early Christian church emulated this custom, and taking the blessed ashes from the former Palm Sunday, they placed the ashes, while making the sign of the cross, on the forehead of the faithful on Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday begins the Lenten Season, a time of special spiritual opportunity which contemplates the Passion of Christ as an incentive for self-examination, repentance and growth in faith and grace.

At Historic Trinity ashes will be distrubuted at the end of each Ash Wednesday service by the baptismal font to those desiring to receive ashes on the forehead.