Getting Anointed on Ash Wednesday

Protokletos

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Being Orthodox I assume that the Catholic Church would find it acceptable for me to receive the ashes on my forehead on Ash Wednesday. If so, how does one receive them? Are you supposed to say or do anything special when the priest is anointing you? Anything else I should know before going to the service?

Thanks for any help! :pray:
 

Anhelyna

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Why would you wish to take part in receiving a sacramental two days after , for you the Great Fast has started ?

Actually , if I'm correct , you enter the Great Fast on Feb 27 [ like me] so you would not even be receiving ashes during the Fast.
 
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Anhelyna

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However , answering your question

You say nothing after the imposition of the cross on your forehead , make an inclination of the head and return to your seat . Be aware though , that it may not be a member of the Clergy putting the ashes on you - in most Churches , because of the large numbers there will be present [ all these folk who only go to Mass at Christmas and Easter but insist on ' getting their ashes' ]
 
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WarriorAngel

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Being Orthodox I assume that the Catholic Church would find it acceptable for me to receive the ashes on my forehead on Ash Wednesday. If so, how does one receive them? Are you supposed to say or do anything special when the priest is anointing you? Anything else I should know before going to the service?

Thanks for any help! :pray:
I am sure you can, it's not a sacrament and likely is open to the Orthodox.
It solemnly reminds us of our origin - which is dust. [But by the hand of God we live]...and thus begins the fast of Lent.
 
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WarriorAngel

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However , answering your question

You say nothing after the imposition of the cross on your forehead , make an inclination of the head and return to your seat . Be aware though , that it may not be a member of the Clergy putting the ashes on you - in most Churches , because of the large numbers there will be present [ all these folk who only go to Mass at Christmas and Easter but insist on ' getting their ashes' ]


I visit a LOT of Churches - lots.
It is only by the priest this is done.

And it is a single line - no matter how long it takes.
 
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Protokletos

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Anhelyna and WarriorAngel, thanks for your replies. To answer your question, Anhelyna, even though the fast has already started in a lighter form, I would love to experience this holy service for the sake of its spiritual benefits. For me the timing is not very important.

InnerPhyre, lol go read Fr. Seraphim Rose and comb your beard, and leave me and my love for Catholicism alone. ;)
 
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Root of Jesse

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I visit a LOT of Churches - lots.
It is only by the priest this is done.

And it is a single line - no matter how long it takes.

Nah, I was a sacristan for daily Mass for quite a while til my job took me away from daily Mass. I was authorized by the priest to distribute ashes, and it's not such a big church.

Note: Anyone who comes forward may receive ashes.
 
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Anhelyna

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Protokletos

I've answered your questions - but you have not really answered mine as to why you would want to receive ashes .

The 'service' as you term it is either before , after or during Mass and really all it is is the line moving forward and the Priest / EEME placing a cross on your forehead with various sentences - the one I used was " Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel " which all of us in the parish I attended at that time used.

I'm a member of the UGCC so yes - I'm on the easing into the Fast stage now . I will not be attending an RC Church on Ash Wednesday - the Fast starts on Monday 27 Feb.
 
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Root of Jesse

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Root of Jesse, aren't you a Deacon?
Or..?

Anyway - i dont know if it was because of your future ordination - please let us know. :)

No, not a deacon yet. Haven't even begun the discernment process, hopefully later this year. No, at the time I was still in Mystagogy, but the celebrant asked me to distribute ashes...I didn't even use the right formula, but as we know, it's the intent...
 
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InnerPhyre

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Anhelyna and WarriorAngel, thanks for your replies. To answer your question, Anhelyna, even though the fast has already started in a lighter form, I would love to experience this holy service for the sake of its spiritual benefits. For me the timing is not very important.

InnerPhyre, lol go read Fr. Seraphim Rose and comb your beard, and leave me and my love for Catholicism alone. ;)

I happen to think that ashes on the forehead at the start of lent is a beautiful tradition that would fit nicely into Orthodoxy, and likely did in the Orthodox West for some time. It is not the practice that I take issue with. But if you are an Orthodox Christian, you should not be participating in Roman Catholic services. Did you get your spiritual father's blessing to do this? If you did, then go ahead, and I apologize for my previous comment. If not, go talk to him before you do.
 
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Root of Jesse

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Looking forward to your Diaconate, Root of Jesse.

You are welcome, Protokletos

Me, too, if He'll have me...All I know is I feel a call. But I've seen lots of folks who I think are holier than I am, and they serve as lay people. But I also know I never get tired of preaching about God, and so I have offered myself up. Keep me in your prayers...(I already know you do...)
 
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Protokletos

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Protokletos

I've answered your questions - but you have not really answered mine as to why you would want to receive ashes .

The 'service' as you term it is either before , after or during Mass and really all it is is the line moving forward and the Priest / EEME placing a cross on your forehead with various sentences - the one I used was " Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel " which all of us in the parish I attended at that time used.

I'm a member of the UGCC so yes - I'm on the easing into the Fast stage now . I will not be attending an RC Church on Ash Wednesday - the Fast starts on Monday 27 Feb.

I am not sure I fully understand your question. Why wouldn't I want to receive the anointing? Is there something wrong with the ashes? Will God take his blessing away from me because my fast started two days earlier? Look I'm not hung up on getting the ashes, I just wanted to go to the service and pray. So I figured if I was going anyway why not get the anointing? I'm also not the only Orthodox on earth taking part in it, since I can tell you that a number of Eastern Orthodox bishops and priests join in on Ash Wednesday services and say a few prayers with the Catholic priests. I don't mean to sound rude, but I just don't get what the issue is.
 
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Protokletos

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I happen to think that ashes on the forehead at the start of lent is a beautiful tradition that would fit nicely into Orthodoxy, and likely did in the Orthodox West for some time. It is not the practice that I take issue with. But if you are an Orthodox Christian, you should not be participating in Roman Catholic services. Did you get your spiritual father's blessing to do this? If you did, then go ahead, and I apologize for my previous comment. If not, go talk to him before you do.

I'm under the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, and we don't have a problem with participating in Catholic services. However, you would be correct in saying that one is generally, though sadly, forbidden from receiving the Eucharist in the Catholic Church.
 
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