Ash Wednesday

     On Ash Wednesday we held two services - the first in the afternoon at St. Luke's and in the evening at St. Peter's.  
     The following cf. http://www.anglicanjournal.com/

Palm crosses from the previous year are burned to create the ashes. Photo: IStockPhoto  - See more at: http://www.anglicanjournal.com/articles/40-days-to-easter#sthash.Jm0gBum1.dpuf

Lent
            Derived from the old English word for “lengthen” (as do the days in spring), Lent is the 40-day period of prayer, penitence and pondering before Easter. 

            Starting on Ash Wednesday, the seventh Wednesday before Easter, it commemorates Christ’s period of deprivation and sacrifice in the desert and recalls the events leading to his crucifixion. 

            Strict observers of Lententide may observe periods of fasting or at least abstain from festivities, certain foods and other indulgences, giving the money saved to charity. 

Lent’s liturgical colour is a sombre purple, recalling the royal robe the Roman soldiers mockingly placed on Jesus.

            - See more at: http://www.anglicanjournal.com/articles/40-days-to-easter#sthash.Jm0gBum1.dpuf