The Ascension

🕊️ History and Liturgical Timing

The Ascension commemorates the moment when, 40 days after His Resurrection, Jesus Christ ascended into heaven in the presence of His disciples. This event is recorded in the Acts of the Apostles (1:3–11) and is also mentioned in the Gospels of Mark (16:19) and Luke (24:50–53). As one of the Twelve Great Feasts of the Church, it underscores Christ’s divine nature and the fulfillment of His earthly mission.​National Today+4goarch.org+4greekcitytimes.com+4goarch.org+3greekcitytimes.com+3/ Православие.Ru+3/ Православие.Ru+3National Today+3greekcitytimes.com+3

The feast is celebrated on the 40th day after Pascha (Easter), which always falls on a Thursday. This timing is rooted in the biblical account and has been preserved in Eastern Christian liturgical practice. In contrast, some Western Christian traditions, such as the Roman Catholic Church, have moved the observance to the following Sunday to accommodate the faithful’s participation. ​goarch.org+3/ Православие.Ru+3greekcitytimes.com+3Wikipedia

The Feast of the Ascension commemorates the moment when Jesus Christ ascended into heaven in the presence of His disciples, as described in Acts 1:9–11. This event signifies the completion of Christ’s earthly ministry and His glorification at the right hand of the Father.​

Theologically, the Ascension underscores several key themes:​

• Christ’s Glorification: The Ascension affirms Christ’s divine nature and eternal reign.​

• Promise of the Holy Spirit: Before ascending, Jesus promised the coming of the Holy Spirit, empowering the apostles to continue His work on earth.​

• Humanity’s Elevation: By ascending bodily into heaven, Christ sanctified human nature, offering hope for the eventual glorification of all believers.​

• Anticipation of the Second Coming: The Ascension serves as a reminder of Christ’s promise to return, encouraging vigilance and faithfulness among Christians.​

In both the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Churches, the Ascension is observed with solemn liturgical services:​

• Vespers: Held on the evening before the feast, featuring readings from the Old Testament prophecies.​

• Matins (Orthros): Morning prayers that include hymns and scripture readings, such as Mark 16:9–20.​

• Divine Liturgy: The central act of worship, celebrating the feast with special hymns and prayers.​

The liturgical color for the day is typically white, symbolizing joy and purity. The feast is also marked by the singing of specific hymns, such as the Apolytikion and Kontakion, which reflect the themes of Christ’s ascension and the promise of the Holy Spirit.​

In 2025, Pascha (Easter) is celebrated on Sunday, April 20. Counting 40 days from this date places the Feast of the Ascension on Thursday, May 29. This date is consistent across both the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Churches, regardless of calendar differences.​

The Ascension is often depicted in iconography, illustrating Christ’s elevation into heaven with angels and the apostles observing. These icons serve as visual catechesis, conveying the theological depth of the event and its significance in the salvation history.​

In summary, the Feast of the Ascension is a pivotal event in the Christian liturgical year, rich in theological meaning and celebrated with reverence in Eastern Christian traditions. Its observance on the 40th day after Pascha underscores the continuity of the biblical narrative and the enduring hope of Christ’s return.​