STAR-BULLETIN / 2007 Ash Wednesday next week starts the season of Lent.

Hawaii’s Christians will celebrate Ash Wednesday next week

Many Christians will wear the sign of the cross on their foreheads next Wednesday as they begin the season of Lent, a six-week spiritual preparation for Easter.

Wearing ashes as a sign of penitence became a Christian tradition by the eighth century. It is rooted in Old Testament accounts of people who donned sackcloth and poured ashes on their heads to show repentance and humility in their relationship with God.

Before Ash Wednesday is observed by island churches next week, some will celebrate the Shrove Tuesday tradition of feasting and frivolity before the somber time of fasting begins.

All events are open to the public.

» Waiokeola Congregational Church, 4705 Kilauea Ave., will host a Mardi Gras celebration beginning with a pancake supper at 6 p.m. Tuesday. The festivities will continue with music, dance performances by the Waiokeola Rockettes, magic and tai chi demonstrations, with a lion dance thrown in to start the Chinese New Year.

The Waiokeola Ash Wednesday worship service will be at 7 p.m.

» Six Episcopal parishes in East Honolulu will collaborate on their Lenten observance, taking turns hosting a weekly evening service and monastic supper. The Shrove Tuesday prelude will begin with a 6 p.m. pancake supper at Holy Nativity Church, 5286 Kalanianaole Highway, followed by a showing of the movie "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe."

The 6:30 p.m. Ash Wednesday service will include imposition of ashes and a Communion service at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 539 Kapahulu Ave. It is a fast day so no meal will be served.

» At St. Andrew's Cathedral, Queen Emma Square, Eucharist and imposition of ashes will be held at 7 a.m. in Parke Chapel, 12:05 and 5:30 p.m. in the cathedral.

» Ash Wednesday will be observed with a Mass and imposition of ashes at most island Catholic churches. Catholic Bishop Larry Silva will preside Wednesday at a noon Mass. A noon Mass is planned at the Mystical Rose Oratory at Chaminade University.

» First United Methodist Church, 1020 S. Beretania St., will hold a 7 p.m. Ash Wednesday service in English and Tongan.

» First Christian Church of Honolulu, 1516 Kewalo St., will host a 7 p.m. service Wednesday.

» Harris United Methodist Church, 20 S. Vineyard Blvd., will hold Ash Wednesday worship services at noon and 7 p.m. The Lenten observance will continue at noon each Wednesday with scriptural meditation and music.