Residents observe Ash Wednesday - Gainesville Times

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Residents observe Ash Wednesday

Worshippers walk toward the front of First Baptist Church for an Ash Wednesday service. - photo by NAT GURLEY

0306ash 7 — Worshippers walk toward the front of First Baptist Church for an Ash Wednesday service. - photo by NAT GURLEY

Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent and occurs 46 days before Easter, falling between Feb. 4 and March 10. It is the day after Shrove Tuesday, known in some quarters as Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras. Lent represents the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert and was tempted by Satan, according to the Bible’s Gospel chapters.