Ash Wednesday Services
With Fat Tuesday in the rear–view mirror, many area Christians have made their way to church today to mark the beginning of Lent.
St. John the Evangelist Church in Ishpeming is one of many area churches holding Ash Wednesday services.
The name comes from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of followers as a sign of repentance before god.
Many faithful view the occasion as a sad time, but pastor Fr. Greg Heikkala believes the opportunity to know God in new ways during lent also makes it a joyous occasion.
Catholics and most Protestant denominations observe Ash Wednesday, but most Eastern Orthodox Christians do not.
Posted by: Mike Hoey