Ash Wednesday Service
Ash wednesday notes
ASH WEDNESDAY
The first day of Lent, 40 weekdays (six and a half weeks, not counting Sundays) before Easter. The name comes from the imposition of ashes on the heads of worshippers, symbolizing penitence and mourning.
Ash Wednesday. The first day of *Lent, six and a half weeks before *Easter. Down to the 7th cent., Lent began with *Quadragesima Sunday, as it still does in the *Ambrosian Rite. The four extra days were added later to secure the exact number of 40 week-days for the fast. At one time public penitents at Rome were ceremonially admitted to begin their penance on this day; and when this discipline fell into disuse, between the 8th and 10th cents., the general penance of the whole congregation took its place. This was symbolized by the imposition of ashes, in token of mourning and penitence, upon the heads of clergy and people, a rite still ordered for Ash Wednesday in the Roman Missal. In the BCP of 1549 and in subsequent editions the *Commination Service is prescribed for this day. In the American Books of 1929 and 1979 Ash Wednesday is mentioned as a special fast-day (with *Good Friday), and in the Scottish Book of 1929 it is named (together with the six days before Easter) a ‘Greater Fast’. In the RC Church Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are now the only days on which fasting is prescribed universally.
Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent and the seventh Wednesday before Easter. It derives its name from the early ecclesiastical custom of putting ashes on the heads of believers on that day, as a sign of penitence.