Local Catholic churches will take on the customs used commonly in Europe this Ash Wednesday to avoid the risks of COVID-19.
Instead of tracing the mark of the cross on believers’ foreheads, they will have ashes sprinkled on the crown of their heads. The ashes placed by the priest to symbolize penitence and mortality as they begin observing the 40-day holy season of Lent.
“The sprinkling over the head is very common in Europe,” said Rev. Rod Kreidler of St. Edward Catholic Church in Ashland.
According to the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland, the practices of both sprinkling ashes on the head and tracing a cross on the forehead were used in the past. At one time, it was common to sprinkle ashes on men’s heads and trace crosses on women’s foreheads because they wore head coverings in church.
The start of the Lenten journey for most Christians is just a week away.
And, for many, it will start with Ash Wednesday services that will look a lot different amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some churches like the Episcopal Church of the Saviour handed out Ash Wednesday kits for parishioners to apply their own ashes while watching an online service that will broadcast next week.
Others like the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Akron will forgo ashes entirely and instead will offer a music-oriented service that will be livestreamed.
The Rev. Jonathan Hauerwas said the church on West Market Street has been all online since before Easter a year ago.
Churches throughout NEO find ways to safely worship this Christmas
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Churches throughout NEO find ways to safely worship this Christmas.
and last updated 2020-12-24 07:01:52-05
WESTLAKE, Ohio â Westlakeâs United Methodist Churchâs Reverend Mollie Gordon Brown said they pride themselves on being a place that welcomes and includes all.
âWe want we want to meet people where they are because we know that people worship in different ways,â she said.
Worshipping in different ways is exactly what 2020 has forced the church to do. Typically, on Christmas Eve about 900 people would attend various services throughout the day.