From staff reports
In church services Wednesday across Longview and elsewhere, Christians took time to observe Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the 40-day season of Lent.
In the Christian church, Lent is representative of the time Christ spent in the wilderness being tempted by Satan.
In many churches, itÐÔÊӽ紫ý™s a time of fasting and repentance that leads up to Easter, when the church celebrates ChristÐÔÊӽ紫ý™s resurrection after his death on the cross.
The ashes are produced by burning the palm branches from the previous yearÐÔÊӽ紫ý™s Palm Sunday service, which recalls JesusÐÔÊӽ紫ý™ celebrated arrival in Jerusalem just days before his crucifixion.
