Rowe's church has bulged with interest, too, as the number coming forward to get ashes jumped from 30 in 1997 to more than 100 this year. But at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in Orange, Conn., rituals aren't complete without strict codes for fasting. There, where the majority are of Greek descent and others generally claim Eastern European ancestry, almost everyone shuns meat during Lent. On certain days, all church members fast all day, and some avoid dairy products and oils throughout the season. Conn. Other Protestant congregations choose not to observe Lent at all.
Easter is a huge celebration here anyway.
I don't think we sense a real void in our celebration of Holy Week. Still other Protestants testify, however, that Holy Week rituals have had for them the humbling effect of making sacrifice. Harvard University professor Peter Dobkin Hall said he was shocked to find foot washing added recently to the Maundy Thursday liturgy at his Episcopal parish. But it was very powerful.