LI's faithful mark the start of Lent
The faithful across Long Island marked the start of Lent Wednesday with Ash Wednesday, the traditional 40-day period of atonement and sacrifice.
In a centuries-old ritual, ash is rubbed on worshippers' forehead in the shape of a cross as a sign of penance.
Ash Wednesday is a religious holiday celebrated by Roman Catholics as well as some other Christian denominations.
The ashes typically come from the burning of palms from the previous year's Palm Sunday.
The Lenten period ends in the celebration of Easter -- which this year is Sunday, April 8. Easter is the day Christians believe that Jesus Christ rose from the dead.
Out East with Doug Geed: Wine harvests, a fish market, baked treats and poinsettias NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits two wineries and a fish market, and then it's time for holiday cheer, with a visit to a bakery and poinsettia greenhouses.
Out East with Doug Geed: Wine harvests, a fish market, baked treats and poinsettias NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits two wineries and a fish market, and then it's time for holiday cheer, with a visit to a bakery and poinsettia greenhouses.
