Coronavirus in CNY: How area churches are making accommodations for Ash Wednesday
Updated Feb 18, 2021;
Posted Feb 17, 2021
Rev. Robert Laws distributes packs of ashes outside of St. Martin s Episcopal Church for parishioners to use on Ash Wednesday, in Bridgewater, N.J. February, 14, 2021Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for
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Before the pandemic, Ash Wednesday services included priests making the sign of the cross on the foreheads of parishioners with ashes.
The ritual marks the beginning of Lent, the 40 days in which Christians repent in preparation for the celebration of Easter.
But to avoid physical contact in the time of COVID-19, many area priests are planning to sprinkle ashes on the heads of parishioners.