Ascension of Jesus
- What
- Ascension of Jesus
- When
- 5/13/2021
- Where
- Christian
Ascension of Jesus, is a Christian holiday that commemorates the ascent of Jesus Christ into heaven on the 40th day after his Resurrection. The feast has been celebrated 40 days after Easter in both Eastern and Western Christianity since the 4th century. The Gospel according to John uses both the sayings of Jesus and his post-Resurrection appearances to indicate a new relationship between Jesus and his Father and between him and his followers.
A staple celebration in the Western churches is the extinguishing of the Paschal candle that is first lit on Easter. This is done after the Gospel has been read as a symbol of Christ’s leaving the earth. Other popular customs include a procession in imitation of Christ’s journey with his Apostles to the Mount of Olives, as well as the raising of a crucifix or a statue of the risen Christ through an opening in the church roof.