More Protestants turn to Ash Wednesday: a somber season begins in preparation for Easter
By RICHARD VARA
Feb. 6, 2008

Roman Catholics grow up hearing the words on Ash Wednesday as they receive a sign of the cross in ashes on their foreheads:

"For dust you are and to dust you will return."

But Christians at many Protestant churches around the city will be hearing those words from Genesis 3:19 today as they, too, are marked by ashes on the first day of Lent, the 40-day somber season leading to Easter.

Protestant churches in recent years have increasingly turned to the rite to increase spirituality and devotional preparation for Easter Sunday among their members. the rest image

Pope marks Ash Wednesday with procession, stresses prayer