Local Episcopalians were among those who marked Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras, yesterday.

Fat Tuesday refers to the tradition of eating rich, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season begins. St. Mary’s celebrates each year with a pancake supper, in the tradition of “using up” the flour before Lent began.

Today, Ash Wednesday, is the first day of Lent, a period of 46 days preceding Easter in the Christian calendar.

According to the gospels, Christ spent 40 days fasting in the desert before beginning his public ministry. During this time, he endured temptation.

Christians typically observe a period of prayer and fasting, or of abstaining from a particular food or drink, during Lent.

On Ash Wednesday, many Christian churches place ashes on the foreheads of members as a sign of mourning and repentance to God.

In Andalusia, the following Ash Wednesday services are planned.

• St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, noon and at 6 p.m.

• Christ the King Catholic Church, mass at 12:10 p.m., with dispensation of ashes following.

• First United Methodist Church, 6 p.m., communion and dispensation of ashes.

• First Presbyterian Church, 6 p.m.