Ascension Day - the Christian feast of the ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven, 40 days after Easter

Ascension Day is a Christian feast observed on the 40th day after Easter, commemorating the ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven in the presence of his disciples, as described in Acts 1:9-11. The day is observed 40 days after Easter Sunday (always on a Thursday, marking the 6th week of Eastertide). A public holiday in several European countries (including France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, and the Netherlands), and widely observed by Christians worldwide with church services, processions, and the ringing of church bells.

The one-line summary

A Christian feast observed on the 40th day after Easter (always a Thursday, in the 6th week of Eastertide), commemorating the ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven. A public holiday in several European countries, including France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. Observed with church services, processions, the ringing of church bells, and the preparation for Pentecost (10 days later).

The biblical account

The ascension of Jesus Christ is described in the New Testament in three places: the end of the Gospel of Mark (Mark 16:19), the end of the Gospel of Luke (Luke 24:50-53), and the beginning of the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 1:9-11). According to the accounts, Jesus appeared to his disciples over a period of 40 days after his resurrection on Easter Sunday, and on the 40th day was taken up into heaven in the presence of his disciples.

The account in Acts 1:9-11 is the most detailed: "And when he had said these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." The account in Luke 24:50-53 adds that the disciples returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God.

The ascension is one of the most important events in the Christian calendar, and is the basis for the doctrine of the heavenly session of Christ (the belief that Christ is seated at the right hand of God the Father). The doctrine is central to the Christian understanding of the relationship between Christ and God, and is the basis for the Christian belief in the intercession of Christ on behalf of humanity. The ascension is also the basis for the Christian understanding of the mission of the Church, which is understood to be the continuation of Christ's earthly mission.

The history of the feast

The feast of the Ascension has been observed since the early centuries of Christianity, with the earliest references dating to the 4th century. The feast was originally observed as part of Easter (with the 40 days of Eastertide being a single celebration culminating in Pentecost), but was later separated as a distinct feast. The Council of Elvira (c. 305 CE) and the Council of Nicaea (325 CE) both refer to the feast, and the latter established the 40-day period as a standard practice.

The feast has been observed on the 40th day after Easter since the 4th century, and has been associated with several distinct customs. The most distinctive is the ringing of church bells, which was traditionally done in a specific pattern to commemorate the ascension. The bells were rung at the moment of the ascension, and the sound was believed to represent the heavenly host welcoming Christ into heaven. The custom of ringing the bells at the ascension is still observed in many European countries.

The feast was also associated with the tradition of the "Beating of the Bounds" (in England) and with the "Vauxhill" or "Whitsun ales" festivals (in Germany and the Low Countries). The "Beating of the Bounds" was a tradition in which parishioners would walk the boundaries of their parish on Ascension Day, beating the boundary stones with sticks to remind the children of the limits of the parish. The "Vauxhill" and "Whitsun ales" traditions were secular festivals that were held on or around Ascension Day and that were associated with the consumption of alcohol and the entertainment of the parishioners. Both traditions have largely fallen out of practice in modern times.

How it is observed

Ascension Day is observed with several distinctive traditions, each with its own history and meaning. The most prominent are: (1) the attendance of church services, typically including a special Mass or communion service; (2) the ringing of church bells, traditionally done in a specific pattern to commemorate the ascension; (3) the procession, in which worshippers walk through the streets carrying a cross or a statue of Christ; (4) the preparation for Pentecost, which is observed 10 days after Ascension Day; and (5) the giving of thanks for the heavenly session of Christ, and the recognition of the mission of the Church to spread the Gospel.

The church service is the most important element of the day. In the Catholic tradition, the service includes a special Mass with a proper preface referring to the ascension. In the Anglican and Lutheran traditions, the service includes a special communion service with the reading of the ascension account from Acts 1:9-11. In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, the ascension is observed as a major feast with a processional icon and a special liturgy. The church service is the central element of the day, and is attended by Christians of all traditions.

The procession is another distinctive element of the day. The procession typically takes place after the church service, and involves worshippers walking through the streets carrying a cross, a statue of Christ, or a banner with the image of the ascension. The procession is a public expression of the Christian faith and is particularly common in Catholic and Eastern Orthodox communities. The procession is often accompanied by music and singing, and is a joyful celebration of the ascension.

The connection to Pentecost

Ascension Day is the beginning of the 10-day period between the ascension of Christ and the descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. According to the account in Acts 1-2, Jesus told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the coming of the Holy Spirit, which occurred 10 days after the ascension (on the Jewish festival of Shavuot, which is observed 50 days after Passover). The 10-day period is a time of preparation for the coming of the Holy Spirit, and is observed in many Christian traditions with prayer, fasting, and reflection.

The 10-day period between Ascension Day and Pentecost is known as the "Novena of the Holy Spirit" in the Catholic tradition, and is observed with special prayers and devotions. The 10-day period is also observed in the Anglican and Lutheran traditions with special "Ascensiontide" services and prayers. The 10-day period is particularly important in the Eastern Orthodox tradition, where the ascension is associated with the coming of the Holy Spirit and is the basis for the Orthodox understanding of the Trinity.

Related observances

Ascension Day is part of the larger cycle of Christian feasts in Eastertide, which begins with Easter and culminates with Pentecost. The 10-day period between Ascension Day and Pentecost is observed with special prayers and devotions. Ascension Day is also associated with the related Christian observances of the Imposition of Ashes, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection. The day is widely observed by Christians worldwide.

Sources

• en.wikipedia.org, Ascension of Jesus.
• britannica.com, Ascension Day.
• vatican.va, The Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord.
• churchofengland.org, Ascension Day.