Lent derives from the preparation of candidates for Baptism. By the middle of the fourth century at Jerusalem, candidates for Baptism fasted 40 days, and during this period the catechetical lectures of Cyril of Jerusalem were delivered to them. The length of the fast was suggested by several biblical prototypes: Jesus in the wilderness; Moses’ stay on Sinai; the 40 years wandering in the wilderness; and Elijah’s fast on his way to the mountain of God. After the legalization of Christianity in 313, the period of preparation for Baptism became a general period of preparation of all Christians for Easter.
Ash Wednesday was originally a day for the expulsion of penitents from the church, the beginning of a time of temporary excommunication. In the fourth century those undergoing church discipline had to endure several stages of excommunication and reinstatement: weepers, who stood outside the church doors asking the prayers of those who went in; hearers, who were allowed in the narthex; standers who stood with the congregation but who had to leave before Holy Communion. Several years might be spent in each of the stages. In succeeding centuries, however, this public penitence was joined to Lent. Lent (40 days before Easter), the penitents were placed under discipline. They were admonished, prayed for, given the laying-on of hands, and expelled from the church before Holy Communion.
As early as the third century Tertullian mentions ashes as an external sign of public penitence. In the ninth century the imposition of ashes together with seven penitential psalms were added to the rite of expulsion of penitents from the church during Lent, and the day came to be known as Ash Wednesday. By the eleventh century, the discipline of public penitence had largely disappeared and Lent was accepted by the entire church as a time to receive ashes and undergo penitence.
Spirit of Hope Lutheran Church, will be offering two Ash Wednesday Services on March 1, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
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