This also explains why this season begins on a Wednesday. Since all regular Sunday worship services are an observance of Christ’s resurrection, and thus occasions for reverent joy, the Sundays during this period are not counted in the forty days of more somber remembrance of Christ's Passion. The forty days are counted backward from Resurrection Sunday. Sinai at the giving of the law, Elijah's fast on his way to the mountain of God, and Jesus' forty-day fast at the beginning of His ministry, among others.
The forty days are reminiscent of several biblical events: Moses' stay on Mt. Lent is the Christian's forty-day journey with the Lord to the cross and tomb, preparing for the joyous celebration of Christ’s Resurrection. Regardless of the method chosen the Officiant should stress adherence to COVID safety protocols especially the wearing of masks and social distancing throughout the entire service.The Wednesday before the first Sunday in Lent marks the beginning of this season of the Church Year. With these guiding principles in mind here are three suggestions:ġ) Many Christians have decided to avoid physical contact while reverting to a very ancient practice of sprinkling ashes on the top of worshippers’ heads as our brothers and sisters in the Roman Catholic Church are doing.Ģ) The use of a q-tip, makeup wedge, or other similar object (a new one for each person) in the hand of the Officiant in order to place the traditional sign of the cross on the forehead of worshippers.ģ) Understanding that the Ash Wednesday rubrics allow the service to be led by a lay person (BCP, 269), the Officiant makes ashes available in small containers for self-imposition by individuals or families. ⦁ The need for honoring our COVID safety protocols ⦁ Maintaining the meaning and reverence of the ritual Two guiding principles have gone into this discussion: Many clergy have asked for ideas for the imposition of ashes. The imposition of Ashes during the Ash Wednesday service is a cherished part of our Ash Wednesday liturgy as a profound sign of our repentance at the beginning of Lent.
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