Ascension of Jesus
Miniature from Rabbula Gospels (Mesopotamia, 6th century)
Observed by	Christians
Type	Christianity
Significance	Affirmation of the ascension of Jesus
Date	Thursday in the sixth week following Easter Sunday
2007 date	May 17
2008 date	May 1 (Western) June 5 (Eastern)
2009 date	May 21 (Western) May 28 (Eastern)
Celebrations	A traditional Christian Feast
Observances	Prayer
Related to	Passover, Christmas (which honors the birth of Jesus), Septuagesima, Quinquagesima, Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday, Lent, Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday which lead up to Easter, Easter Sunday (primarily), Pentecost, Whit Monday, Trinity Sunday, and Corpus Christi which follow Easter

The general and most common understanding of the Christian doctrine of Ascension holds that Jesus bodily ascended to heaven in the presence of his apostles, forty days following his resurrection. The Rabbula Gospels, or Rabula Gospels, (Florence Biblioteca Mediceo Laurenziana cod Mesopotamia (from the Greek meaning "land between the rivers" is an area geographically located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers largely corresponding A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth Jesus of Nazareth (7–2 BC / BCE —26–36 AD / CE) Easter ( Greek: Πάσχα Pascha or Pasxa) is the most important religious feast in the Christian Liturgical year. Events 1521 - Edward Stafford 3rd Duke of Buckingham, is executed for Treason. Events 305 - Diocletian and Maximian retire from the office of Roman Emperor. Western Christianity is a term used to cover the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church, the Churches of the Anglican Communion, the Lutheran Church Events 70 - Titus and his Roman Legions breach the middle wall of Jerusalem in the Siege of Jerusalem Families of churches Eastern Christians have a shared tradition but they became divided ( Schism) during the early centuries of Christianity in disputes about Events 878 - Syracuse Italy is captured by the Muslim sultan of Sicily. Western Christianity is a term used to cover the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church, the Churches of the Anglican Communion, the Lutheran Church Events 585 BC - A Solar eclipse occurs as predicted by Greek philosopher and scientist Thales, while Alyattes is battling Families of churches Eastern Christians have a shared tradition but they became divided ( Schism) during the early centuries of Christianity in disputes about The Calendar of saints is a traditional Christian method of organizing a Liturgical year on the level of days by associating each day with one or more Saints Prayer is the act of attempting to communicate with a Deity or spirit Passover ( Hebrew, Yiddish: פֶּסַח Pesach, Tiberian: pɛsaħ Israeli: Pesah, Pesakh, Yiddish Septuagesima (in full Septuagesima Sunday) an observance dropped from the calendar as revised by the Second Vatican Council but still in use in the traditional calendars Quinquagesima is the name for the Sunday before Ash Wednesday. Shrove Tuesday is the term used in Ireland the United Kingdom Australia and Canada to refer to the day after Shrove Monday (or the more old fashioned Collop Monday In the Western Christian Calendar, Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and occurs forty days before Easter (excluding Sundays Lent, in some Christian denominations, is the forty-day-long liturgical season of fasting and prayer before Easter. Palm Sunday is a Christian Moveable feast which always falls on the Sunday before Easter. In the Christian Liturgical calendar, Maundy Thursday (also known as Holy Thursday) is the feast or holy day falling on the Thursday before Easter Good Friday, also called Holy Friday or Great Friday, is the Friday preceding Easter Sunday ("Pascha" Holy Saturday ( Latin: Sabbatum Sanctum) is the day after Good Friday. Easter ( Greek: Πάσχα Pascha or Pasxa) is the most important religious feast in the Christian Liturgical year. Pentecost (πεντηκοστή, pentekostē, "the fiftieth day" is one of the prominent feasts in the Christian Liturgical year, celebrated the Whit Monday or Pentecost Monday (also known as Monday of the Holy Spirit) is the Holiday celebrated the day after Pentecost, a Movable feast Trinity Sunday is the first Sunday after Pentecost in the Western Christian liturgical calendar, and the Sunday of Pentecost in Eastern Corpus Christi ( Latin for Body of Christ) is a Christian feast. The liturgical year, also known as the Christian year, consists of the cycle of liturgical seasons in Christian churches which determines when Advent (from the Latin word la ''adventus'' meaning "coming" is a season of the Christian church, the period of expectant waiting and preparation for the Christmastide (also Christmas or the Christmas season) is one of the seasons of the Liturgical year of most Christian churches Epiphany ( Greek for "to manifest" or "to show" is a Christian Feast day which celebrates the "shining forth" or revelation of Lent, in some Christian denominations, is the forty-day-long liturgical season of fasting and prayer before Easter. Easter Triduum, Holy Triduum, or Paschal Triduum is a term used by some Christian churches particularly the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastertide, or the Easter Season, or Paschal Time, is the period of fifty days from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday The general and most common understanding of the Christian Doctrine of Ascension holds that Jesus bodily ascended to Heaven in the presence Pentecost (πεντηκοστή, pentekostē, "the fiftieth day" is one of the prominent feasts in the Christian Liturgical year, celebrated the Ordinary Time is a season of the Christian (especially the Catholic) Liturgical calendar In the Christian Liturgical calendar, there are several different feasts known as Feasts of the Cross, all of which commemorate the cross used in the The Nativity Fast, is a period abstinence and penance practiced by the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Eastern Catholic Churches, in preparation For depictions in painting and sculpture see Nativity of Jesus in art. Epiphany ( Greek for "to manifest" or "to show" is a Christian Feast day which celebrates the "shining forth" or revelation of Great Lent, or the Great Fast, is the most important Fasting season in the Church year in Eastern Christianity, which prepares Christians Easter ( Greek: Πάσχα Pascha or Pasxa) is the most important religious feast in the Christian Liturgical year. Pentecost (πεντηκοστή, pentekostē, "the fiftieth day" is one of the prominent feasts in the Christian Liturgical year, celebrated the The feast of the Resurrection of Jesus, called Pascha (Easter is the greatest of the feasts of the Eastern Orthodox Church. The Transfiguration of Jesus is an event reported by the Synoptic Gospels in which Jesus is transfigured upon a mountain (,) The Dormition of the Theotokos ( Greek: Koimesis) is a Great Feast of the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings Doctrine (Latin doctrina) is a codification of beliefs or "a body of teachings quot or "instructions" taught principles or positions as the Jesus of Nazareth (7–2 BC / BCE —26–36 AD / CE) Heaven may refer to the physical heavens the sky or the seemingly endless expanse of the Universe beyond The Twelve Apostles (Greek apostolos, "someone sent out" e Within the body of Christian beliefs the resurrection of Jesus is a core event on which much of Christian doctrine and theology depend It is narrated in Mark 16:19, Luke 24:51, Acts 1:1-12,^[1] and mentioned in John 20:17, Ephesians 4:7-13, Romans 10:5-7, 1 Timothy 3:16, 1 Peter 3:21-22. Content Authorship The gospel itself is anonymous but as early as Papias in the early 2nd century a text was attributed to Mark, a cousin The Gospel of Luke (Gk Κατά Λουκάν Ευαγγέλιον) is a synoptic Gospel, and is the third and longest of the four canonical Gospels of the The Acts of the Apostles is a book of the Bible, which now stands fifth in the New Testament. This is affirmed by Christian liturgy in the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed. A Liturgy is a set form of ceremony or pattern of worship Christian liturgy is a pattern for worship used (whether recommended or prescribed by a Christian congregation or The Nicene Creed (ˈnaɪsiːn is an ecumenical Christian statement of faith accepted in the Eastern Orthodox Church, Assyrian Church of

Biblical accounts

The first account of the Ascension found in the Christian Bible is in the Gospel of Mark (16:14-19)—but see article on Mark 16. Etymology According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the word bible is from Latin biblia, traced from the same word through Medieval Latin and Late Latin Mark 16 is the final chapter of the Gospel of Mark in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. The description is brief: Jesus and the remaining eleven apostles are seated at a table, presumably in a room in or near Jerusalem. Jesus of Nazareth (7–2 BC / BCE —26–36 AD / CE) Jerusalem (יְרוּשָׁלַיִם, he-Latn Yerushaláyim; Arabic: ar القُدس, ar-Latn al-Quds) is the Jesus commands his followers to spread the Gospel (see also Great Commission) and tells them that those who believe will be known by their invulnerability to poison, ability to heal the sick, exorcise demons, speak in "new tongues," and the like. This article is about the canonical books of the New Testament The Great Commission, in Christian tradition is the instruction of the resurrected Jesus Christ to his disciples, that they spread his teachings Faith healing is the attempt to use Religious or spiritual means such as Prayer, mental practices spiritual insights or other techniques to prevent Exorcism (from Late Latin exorcismus, from Greek exorkizein - to adjure is the practice of evicting Demons or other evil After delivering these final words, Jesus is received into heaven to sit at the right hand of God. Heaven may refer to the physical heavens the sky or the seemingly endless expanse of the Universe beyond God is the principal or sole Deity in Religions and other belief systems that worship one deity. No description of the Ascension itself is given; Mark simply states that it happened.

The Gospel of Luke is even more brief in its description (24:50-51). Jesus led the eleven to Bethany, not far from Jerusalem. Bethany most commonly refers to the village of Bethany (Jerusalem. While in the act of blessing them, Jesus was carried up to heaven.

In Mark, the Ascension appears to take place immediately after the Resurrection of Jesus. Within the body of Christian beliefs the resurrection of Jesus is a core event on which much of Christian doctrine and theology depend However, verse 19 of Mark 16 could legitimately be interpreted in light of the 40-day delay spoken of in Acts (see below). It simply states that "after the Lord had spoken to them, he was received up into heaven. . . . " This might easily allow for a delay between the events of this verse and those preceding it; thus it does not necessarily contradict Luke's account in Chapter one of the Acts of the Apostles. The Acts of the Apostles is a book of the Bible, which now stands fifth in the New Testament.

Not only is the Ascension related in the passages of Scripture cited above, but it is also elsewhere predicted and spoken of as an established fact. Thus, in John 6:62, Christ asks the Jews: "What if then you shall see the son of Man ascend up where He was before?" and 20:17, He says to Mary Magdalen: "Do not touch (translated "approach" in the Aramaic) Me, for I am not yet ascended to My Father, but go to My brethren, and say to them: I ascend to My Father and to your Father, to My God and to your God. The phrase son of man is a primarily Semitic Idiom that originated in Ancient Mesopotamia, used to denote humanity or self Saint Mary Magdalen or Mary Magdalene is described both in the canonical New Testament and in the New Testament apocrypha, as a devoted Aramaic is a Semitic language with " Again, in Acts 2:30-33, Ephesians 4:8-10, and in I Timothy 3:16, the Ascension of Christ is spoken of as an accepted fact. Christians do not interpret this as a "state of full consciousness," but rather a literal rising from the earth into the sky.

Icon of the Ascension, by Andrei Rublev, 1408 (Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow). An icon (from Greek εἰκών eikōn, "image" is a religious work of art most commonly a painting from Eastern Christianity. Andrei Rublev (Andrew Rublev Andrey Rublev Andrey Roublyov Russian: Андре́й Рублёв (c The State Tretyakov Gallery (Государственная Третьяковская Галерея ГТГ in Moscow, Russia, is the foremost depository Moscow (Москва́ romanised: Moskvá, IPA: see also other names) is the Capital and the largest city of

The third account of the Ascension is in the Acts of the Apostles 1:9-12). For forty days after the Resurrection, Jesus continued to teach his followers. Jesus and the eleven were gathered near Mount Olivet, to the northeast of Bethany. The Mount of Olives (also Mount Olivet, جبل الزيتون الطور Jebel az-Zeitun הר הזיתים Har HaZeitim; is a mountain ridge in east Jesus tells his apostles that they will receive the power of the Holy Spirit, the "Comforter," see also Paraclete, and that they will spread his message the world over, i. In mainstream Christianity, the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost is one of the three entities of the Holy Trinity which make up the single substance For the school of Peter Abelard, see Oratory of the Paraclete. e. the Great Commission. The Great Commission, in Christian tradition is the instruction of the resurrected Jesus Christ to his disciples, that they spread his teachings Jesus is taken up and received by a cloud. Two men clothed in white (i. e. , angels) appear and tell the apostles that Jesus will return in the same manner as he was taken. An angel is a Spiritual Supernatural being found in many Religions Although the nature of angels and the tasks given to them vary from tradition to tradition In Christianity, the Second Coming is the anticipated return of Jesus Christ from Heaven to earth an event that will fulfill aspects of Messianic

Even though these three accounts might appear contradictory, the reader should keep in mind that the original Gospel of Luke and Acts (Luke-Acts) were both written by the same author and are thus very unlikely to contain such glaring discrepancies. Luke-Acts is the name usually given by Biblical scholars to the composite work of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament ^[2] In fact, the Gospel of Luke never says that Jesus was taken up immediately after his Resurrection but simply states that the ascension happened "when he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany", which could very well be forty days after his Resurrection. As observed above, Mark's rendering leaves room for this same interpretation, depending upon how one reads the words "after the Lord had spoken to them. . . . " (Mark 16:19). Many scholars assert that Mark either originally ended at 16:8 or had a different ending (see the article on Mark 16); this, however, is not universally agreed. Mark 16 is the final chapter of the Gospel of Mark in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. Mark's Ascension account could therefore be read in the light of later authorship, probably with reference to the existing traditions surrounding the event.

The Gospel of Matthew ends at a mountain in Galilee, with Jesus commanding the Disciples to spread the Gospel to the ends of the world, baptizing in the name of the Trinity (the "Great Commission"). The Gospel of Matthew (Gk Κατά Ματθαίον Ευαγγέλιον is one of the four Canonical gospels in the New Testament and is a Synoptic gospel "Galil" redirects here For the weapon see IMI Galil. Galilee (הגליל ha-Galil, lit the province, In Christianity, baptism ( Greek, "immersing" "performing Ablutions " is the ritual act with the use of water by which one is admitted SSC RF "Troitsk Institute of Innovative and Termonuclear Research" or TRINITY for shprt Троицкий Институт инновационных и термоядерных The Great Commission, in Christian tradition is the instruction of the resurrected Jesus Christ to his disciples, that they spread his teachings No mention is made of the Ascension.

Even within the pious Christian tradition, the language used by the Evangelists to describe the Ascension must be interpreted according to usage. To say that he was taken up or that he ascended, does not necessarily imply that they locate heaven directly above the earth; no more than the words "sitteth on the right hand of God" mean that this is his actual physical posture, but rather denotes his equality with the Father, according to Trinitarianism. SSC RF "Troitsk Institute of Innovative and Termonuclear Research" or TRINITY for shprt Троицкий Институт инновационных и термоядерных In disappearing from their view "He was raised up and a cloud received Him out of their sight" (Acts 1:9), and entering into glory he dwells with the Father in the honour and power denoted by the scripture phrase.

Extra-biblical accounts

Outside of the Biblical Canon, the Ascension is discussed in the Pistis Sophia. A Biblical canon or canon of scripture is a list or Set of Biblical books considered to be authoritative as Scripture by a particular religious Pistis Sophia is an important Gnostic text The five remaining copies which scholars date c Irenaeus in Against Heresies notes the Gnostic view that the Ascension happened eighteen months after the Resurrection. Saint Irenaeus (Greek Ειρηναίος (2nd century AD - c 202 was Bishop of Lugdunum in Gaul, Roman Empire (now Lyons France On the Detection and Overthrow of the So-Called Gnosis ( commonly called Against Heresies (Latin Adversus haereses,) is a five-volume work Gnosticism (γνώσις gnōsis, Knowledge) refers to a diverse Syncretistic Religious movement consisting of various Belief systems ^[3] The apocryphal text known as the Apocryphon of James describes the teachings of Jesus to James and Peter 550 days after the resurrection, but before the ascension, suggesting an even longer period. The recently discovered Nag Hammadi Gospel of Thomas, like the canonical Gospel of Matthew, does not mention the Ascension. Nag Hammadi ( Arabic نجع حمادي is a city in Upper Egypt. The Gospel According to Thomas ( Coptic: ⲡⲉ̅ⲩ̅ⲁ̅ⲅⲅ̅ⲉⲗ̅ⲓⲟⲛ̅ ⲡⲕ̅ⲁ̅ⲧⲁ ⲑ̅ⲱ̅ⲙⲁⲥ also known as The Gospel A Biblical canon or canon of scripture is a list or Set of Biblical books considered to be authoritative as Scripture by a particular religious The Gospel of Matthew (Gk Κατά Ματθαίον Ευαγγέλιον is one of the four Canonical gospels in the New Testament and is a Synoptic gospel

Location

The Ascension edicule.

The Ascension rock, inside the edicule, said to bear the imprint of Jesus' right foot.

Although the place of the Ascension is never distinctly stated, it would appear from Acts that it could have been Mount Olivet (the "Mount of Olives"), since after the Ascension the apostles are described as returning to Jerusalem from the mount that is called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, within a Sabbath day's journey. The Mount of Olives (also Mount Olivet, جبل الزيتون الطور Jebel az-Zeitun הר הזיתים Har HaZeitim; is a mountain ridge in east Shabbat or Shabbos ( Hebrew: שַׁבָּת, shabbāt, shabbes, "rest/inactivity" is the Weekly Sabbath Tradition has consecrated this site as the Mount of Ascension. The Mount of Olives (also Mount Olivet, جبل الزيتون الطور Jebel az-Zeitun הר הזיתים Har HaZeitim; is a mountain ridge in east

Early Christians honored the Ascension by worshiping in a cave nearby, probably out of fear of persecution for worshipping openly. Early Christianity is commonly defined as the Christianity of the three centuries between the Crucifixion of Jesus ( c Later, after the conversion of Constantine, the first church was built on the site around 390 AD by Poimenia, a pious Roman lady. Constantine ( Latin: Cōnstantīnus, Greek:) is a given name and surname derived from the Latin word constans, meaning constant or St. Helena erected over the site a basilica called "Eleona Basilica" (elaion in Greek means "olive garden", from elaia "olive tree," and has an oft-mentioned similarity to eleos meaning "mercy") in 392, which was destroyed by the Sassanid Persians in 614. Saint Helena (pronounced saint he-LEE-na) named after St Helena of Constantinople, is an island of volcanic origin and a British overseas territory The Latin word basilica (derived from Greek, Basiliké Stoà, Royal Stoa) was originally used to describe a Roman The Sassanid Empire or Sassanian Dynasty or Sassanian Dynasty (ساسانیان) is the name used for the third Iranian dynasty and the second Persian empire It was rebuilt in the eighth century, destroyed again, but rebuilt a second time by the Crusaders. The Crusades were a series of military campaigns of a religious character waged by much of Christian Europe against external and internal opponents This final church was also destroyed by the Moslems, leaving only the octagonal structure (called a martyrium—"memorial"—or "Edicule") which remains to this day.

The site was ultimately acquired by two emissaries of Saladin in the year 1198 and has remained in the possession of the Islamic Waqf of Jerusalem ever since. Salahadin Ayyubi ( Arabic:صلاح الدين يوسف بن أيوب Kurdish: سه‌لاحه‌دین ئه‌یوبی Selah'edînê Eyubî; c A waqf ( plural, awqāf; vakıf wæqəf is an inalienable religious endowment in Islam, typically devoting a building or plot of land for Muslim The martyrium, though now only bare stone, enshrines the rock said to bear the imprint of the right foot of Christ as he ascended, and is venerated by Christians as the last point on earth touched by the incarnate Christ. The Crusader building was converted to a mosque but was never used by Muslims since the overwhelming majority of visitors were Christian. As a gesture of compromise and goodwill, Saladin ordered the construction of a second mosque and mihrab two years later next door to the chapel for Muslim worship while Christians continued to visit the main chapel. A "mosque" in English refers to all types of buildings dedicated for Islamic worship although there is a distinction in Arabic between the smaller privately owned mosque and the larger A mihrab (محراب pl محاريب is a niche in the wall of a Mosque that indicates the Qibla, that is the direction of the Kaaba Though still under the control of the Moslems, this Chapel of the Ascension is currently opened to visitors for a nominal fee.

The Russian Orthodox Church also maintains a Convent of the Ascension on the top of the Mount of Olives. See also Eastern Orthodox Church Structure and organization The Slavic Orthodox Church is organized in a hierarchical structure A convent is a community of Priests religious brothers religious sisters or Nuns or the building used by the community particularly in the Roman Catholic Church

Christian theology

Eastern and Oriental Christianity

The gospels are censed during the liturgy of the Ascension in an Oriental Orthodox church in India: note the image of the Ascension on the altar wall and the Nasrani menorah in the foreground. Oriental Orthodoxy is the communion of Eastern Christian Churches that recognize only three Ecumenical councils — the First Council of Nicaea, the Nasrani is an Arabic word meaning Christian. Nasrani is generally understood to originally mean Nazarene, but in some areas

In Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox theology, the Ascension is interpreted as the culmination of the Mystery of the Incarnation, in that it not only marked the completion of Jesus' physical presence among his apostles, but consummated the union of God and man when Jesus ascended in his glorified human body to sit at the right hand of God the Father. The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian Communion in the world Oriental Orthodoxy is the communion of Eastern Christian Churches that recognize only three Ecumenical councils — the First Council of Nicaea, the Theology is the study of a god or the gods from a religious perspective The term sacred mysteries generally denotes the area of Supernatural phenomena associated with a Divinity or a religious ideology. The Incarnation is the belief in Christianity that Jesus Christ is the God of Israel in the flesh In Catholicism In Orthodox Christianity Glorification is the term used in the Orthodox Christian Church for the official recognition of a person In many religions the supreme Deity ( God) is given the title and attributions of Father. The Ascension and the Transfiguration both figure prominently in the Orthodox doctrine of theosis. In Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy and Eastern Catholic theology theosis (written also theiosis, theopoiesis, theōsis The bodily Ascension into heaven is also understood as the final token of Christ's two natures: divine and human. Hypostatic union (from the Greek, "hypostasis" translated reality or person) is a technical term in Christian Theology employed ^[4]

The Orthodox doctrine of salvation points to the Ascension to indicate that the state of redeemed man is higher than the state of man in Paradise before the fall. In Theology, salvation can mean three related things being saved from or Liberation from something such as Suffering or the punishment of Paradise is a word of Persian origin ( Persian: پردیس Pardìs) that is generally identified with the Garden of Eden or with Heaven.

The Orthodox understand Christ's physical presence to continue in the Church, which is the "Body of Christ" (I Corinthians 12:12-27). Jesus' promise that he will be "with you always" is understood not only in terms of his active, divine grace, but also in the divine institution of the church (human sinfulness notwithstanding).

Christ's Ascension into heaven is understood as a necessary prerequisite for the sending of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (John 14:15-20, 14:25-28, 15:26, and especially 16:7). In mainstream Christianity, the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost is one of the three entities of the Holy Trinity which make up the single substance Pentecost (πεντηκοστή, pentekostē, "the fiftieth day" is one of the prominent feasts in the Christian Liturgical year, celebrated the The biblical texts regarding the Ascension also prophesy the Second Coming of Christ, stating that Jesus will return not only in the same glorious manner, but in the same place. In Christianity, the Second Coming is the anticipated return of Jesus Christ from Heaven to earth an event that will fulfill aspects of Messianic In other words, the Second Coming and Last Judgment will take place on the Mount of Olives, with the Valley of Hinnom (Gehenna) below and to the left. In Christian eschatology, the Last Judgment or Day of the Lord is the judgment by God of every human who ever lived for the Polish film see Gehenna (film See also Jewish eschatology Gehennam (or gehenom or gehinom (גהינום is for the Polish film see Gehenna (film See also Jewish eschatology Gehennam (or gehenom or gehinom (גהינום is

Ephesians 4:7-13 is of theological consequence, in that it disproves the heresy of adoptionism. Heresy is an introduced change to some system of belief especially a religion that conflicts with the previously established canon of that belief Adoptionism, also called dynamic Monarchianism, was a minority Christian belief that Jesus was born merely human and that he became divine later in his life

Reformed tradition in Protestantism

The Westminster Confession of Faith (part of the Reformed tradition in Calvinism and influential in the Presbyterian church), in Article four of Chapter eight, states: "On the third day He arose from the dead, with the same body in which He suffered, with which also he ascended into heaven, and there sits at the right hand of His Father, making intercession, and shall return, to judge men and angels, at the end of the world. The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed Confession of faith, in the Calvinist theological tradition The Reformed churches are a group of Christian Protestant Denominations formally characterized by a similar Calvinist system of doctrine historically Calvinism (sometimes called the Reformed tradition, the Reformed faith, or Reformed theology) is a theological system and an approach to the Presbyterianism is a family of Christian denominations within the Reformed branch of Protestant Western Christianity "^[5]

Article 46 of the Heidelberg Catechism answers the question What do you confess when you say, He ascended into heaven? by stating "That Christ, before the eyes of His disciples, was taken up from the earth into heaven, and that He is there for our benefit until He comes again to judge the living and the dead. See also Catechism, Reformed Christian confessions of faith The Heidelberg Catechism is a Protestant confessional document taking the form of a series "^[5]

The Catechism further explores aspects of the ascension, asking How does Christ's ascension into heaven benefit us? and replying, "First, He is our Advocate in heaven before His Father. Second, we have our flesh in heaven as a sure pledge that He, our Head, will also take us, His members, up to Himself. Third, He sends us His Spirit [. . . ]"^[5]

The Second Helvetic Confession addresses the purpose and character of Christ's ascension in Chapter 11:^[5]

Christ Is Truly Ascended Into Heaven. Helvetic Confessions, the name of two documents expressing the common belief of the Reformed churches of Switzerland. We believe that our Lord Jesus Christ, in his same flesh, ascended above all visible heavens into the highest heaven, that is, the dwelling-place of God and the blessed ones, at the right hand of God the Father. Although it signifies an equal participation in glory and majesty, it is also taken to be a certain place about which the Lord, speaking in the Gospel, says: 'I go to prepare a place for you' (John 14:2). The apostle Peter also says: 'Heaven must receive Christ until the time of restoring all things' (Acts 3:21).

Feast

The Ascension is one of the great feasts in the Christian liturgical calendar, and commemorates the bodily Ascension of Jesus into heaven. Western Christianity is a term used to cover the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church, the Churches of the Anglican Communion, the Lutheran Church Families of churches Eastern Christians have a shared tradition but they became divided ( Schism) during the early centuries of Christianity in disputes about Events 193 - Roman Emperor Didius Julianus is Assassinated 987 - Hugh Capet is elected Events 68 - The Roman Senate accepts emperor Galba. 536 - St Silverius becomes Pope (probable Events 1218 - The Fifth Crusade leaves Acre for Egypt. 1276 - Magnus Ladulås is crowned Events 1457 BC - Battle of Megiddo (15th century BC between Thutmose III and a large Canaanite coalition under the King of Events 1525 - Martin Luther marries Katharina von Bora, against the Celibacy rule decreed by the Roman Catholic Church for Events 363 - Roman Emperor Julian defeats the Sassanid army in the Battle of Ctesiphon, under the walls of the Events 70 - Titus and his Roman Legions breach the middle wall of Jerusalem in the Siege of Jerusalem Events 325 - The First Council of Nicaea &ndash the first Ecumenical Council of the Christian Church is held Events 553 - The Second Council of Constantinople begins 1215 - Rebel Barons renounce their allegiance to King John Events 53 - Roman Emperor Nero marries Claudia Octavia 62 - Claudia Octavia commits Events 1085 - Alfonso VI of Castile takes Toledo Spain back from the Moors. Events 193 - Roman Emperor Didius Julianus is Assassinated 987 - Hugh Capet is elected Events 1521 - Edward Stafford 3rd Duke of Buckingham, is executed for Treason. Events 305 - Diocletian and Maximian retire from the office of Roman Emperor. Events 70 - Titus and his Roman Legions breach the middle wall of Jerusalem in the Siege of Jerusalem Events 878 - Syracuse Italy is captured by the Muslim sultan of Sicily. Events 585 BC - A Solar eclipse occurs as predicted by Greek philosopher and scientist Thales, while Alyattes is battling Events 1497 - Pope Alexander VI excommunicates Girolamo Savonarola. Events 455 - The Vandals enter Rome, and plunder the city for two weeks Events 1521 - Edward Stafford 3rd Duke of Buckingham, is executed for Treason. Events 1218 - The Fifth Crusade leaves Acre for Egypt. 1276 - Magnus Ladulås is crowned Events 1457 BC - Battle of Megiddo (15th century BC between Thutmose III and a large Canaanite coalition under the King of Events 1525 - Martin Luther marries Katharina von Bora, against the Celibacy rule decreed by the Roman Catholic Church for Events 363 - Roman Emperor Julian defeats the Sassanid army in the Battle of Ctesiphon, under the walls of the Events 1264 - Battle of Lewes: Henry III of England is captured in France making Simon de Montfort the Events 878 - Syracuse Italy is captured by the Muslim sultan of Sicily. Events 553 - The Second Council of Constantinople begins 1215 - Rebel Barons renounce their allegiance to King John Events 53 - Roman Emperor Nero marries Claudia Octavia 62 - Claudia Octavia commits Events 1085 - Alfonso VI of Castile takes Toledo Spain back from the Moors. Events 1291 - Scottish Nobles recognize the authority of Edward I of England. Events 1521 - Edward Stafford 3rd Duke of Buckingham, is executed for Treason. Events 1416 - The Council of Constance, called by the Emperor Sigismund a supporter of Antipope John XXIII burns Jerome of Prague following Events 1508 - Maximilian I Holy Roman Emperor, is defeated in Friulia by Venetian forces; he is forced to sign a three-year Events 878 - Syracuse Italy is captured by the Muslim sultan of Sicily. Events 585 BC - A Solar eclipse occurs as predicted by Greek philosopher and scientist Thales, while Alyattes is battling The liturgical year, also known as the Christian year, consists of the cycle of liturgical seasons in Christian churches which determines when Ascension Day is officially celebrated on a Thursday, the fortieth day of Easter. Easter ( Greek: Πάσχα Pascha or Pasxa) is the most important religious feast in the Christian Liturgical year. However not all countries hold the feast on this day. The feast is one of the ecumenical feasts (i. e. , universally celebrated), ranking with the feasts of the Passion, of Easter and of Pentecost among the most solemn in the ecclesiastical calendar. The liturgical year, also known as the Christian year, consists of the cycle of liturgical seasons in Christian churches which determines when

History

The observance of this feast is of great antiquity. Although no documentary evidence of it exists prior to the beginning of the fifth century, St. Augustine says that it is of Apostolic origin, and he speaks of it in a way that shows it was the universal observance of the Church long before his time. Frequent mention of it is made in the writings of St. John Chrysotom, St. Gregory of Nyssa, and in the Constitution of the Apostles. This article refers to the Christian saint For other uses of the name see Chrysostomos. Gregory of Nyssa ( Greek: Άγιος Γρηγόριος Νύσσης Latin: Gregorius Nyssenus; Arabic: غريغوريوس النيصي The Pilgrimage of Aetheria speaks of the vigil of this feast and of the feast itself, as they were kept in the church built over the grotto in Bethlehem in which Christ was born. In early Christian history, Egeria, also known as Aetheria, is the name of a Spanish or Gallic woman who made a Pilgrimage to Bethlehem ( بيت لحم,, lit "House of Meat" Βηθλεέμ Bethleém בית לחם Beit Lehem, lit "House of Bread" is a ^[6] It may be that prior to the fifth century the fact narrated in the Gospels was commemorated in conjunction with the feast of Easter or Pentecost. Some believe that the much-disputed forty-third decree of the Council of Elvira (c. The Synod of Elvira (Concilium Eliberritanum Concilio de Elvira was an ecclesiastical Synod held in Hispania Baetica, which ranks among the more important provincial 300) condemning the practice of observing a feast on the fortieth day after Easter and neglecting to keep Pentecost on the fiftieth day, implies that the proper usage of the time was to commemorate the Ascension along with Pentecost. Representations of the mystery are found in diptychs and frescoes dating as early as the fifth century. A diptych (pronounced "dip-tick" dip'tik (or US: 'dɪp Fresco (plural either frescos or frescoes) is any of several related Painting types done on Plaster on walls or

Western

The Latin terms used for the feast, ascensio and, occasionally, ascensa, signify that Christ was raised up by his own powers. In Roman Catholicism the Ascension of the Lord is a Holy Day of Obligation. In the Catholic Church, Holy Days of Obligation or Holidays of Obligation, less commonly called Feasts of Precept, are the days on which as canon 1247 The three days before Ascension Thursday are sometimes referred to as the Rogation days and the previous Sunday, the Fifth Sunday after Easter, (or the Sixth Sunday of Easter) as Rogation Sunday. Rogation days are in the calendar of the Western Church four days traditionally set apart for solemn processions to invoke God's mercy Rogation days are in the calendar of the Western Church four days traditionally set apart for solemn processions to invoke God's mercy Ascension has a vigil and, since the fifteenth century, an octave, which is set apart for a novena of preparation for Pentecost, in accordance with the directions of Pope Leo XIII. Pettie The Vigiljpg|right|thumb|200px|"A Knight's Vigil" by John Pettie]] A vigil (from the Latin vigilia, meaning wakefulness) is " Octave " has two senses in Christian liturgical usage For the town in Singapore, see Novena Singapore. Novena is the feminine form of the Medieval Latin word Pope Leo XIII ( March 2, 1810 – July 20, 1903) born Count Vincenzo Gioacchino Raffaele Luigi Pecci, was the 256th Pope

In Western Christianity, the earliest possible date is April 30, the latest possible date is June 3. Western Christianity is a term used to cover the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church, the Churches of the Anglican Communion, the Lutheran Church Events 313 - Roman emperor Licinius unifies the entire Eastern Roman Empire under his rule Events 350 - Roman usurper Nepotianus, of the Constantinian dynasty, proclaims himself Roman Emperor, entering

Eastern

In the Eastern Church this feast is known in Greek as Analepsis, the "taking up", and also as the Episozomene, the "salvation from on high", denoting that by ascending into his glory Christ completed the work of our redemption. Families of churches Eastern Christians have a shared tradition but they became divided ( Schism) during the early centuries of Christianity in disputes about Ascension is one of the Twelve Great Feasts of the Orthodox liturgical year. The feast of the Resurrection of Jesus, called Pascha (Easter is the greatest of the feasts of the Eastern Orthodox Church. The liturgical year, also known as the Christian year, consists of the cycle of liturgical seasons in Christian churches which determines when

The feast is always observed with an All-night vigil. For the musical setting by Rachmaninoff, see All-Night Vigil (Rachmaninoff The All-night vigil is a service of the Eastern Orthodox The day before is the Apodosis (leave-taking) of Pascha (i. Easter ( Greek: Πάσχα Pascha or Pasxa) is the most important religious feast in the Christian Liturgical year. e. , the last day of the Feast of Easter). The Paroemia (Old Testament readings) at Vespers on the eve of the Feast are Isaiah 2:2-3; Isaiah 62:10-63:3, 63:7-9; and Zecheriah 14:1-4, 14:8-11. In Western Christianity, the Old Testament refers to the books that form the first of the two-part Christian Biblical canon. Vespers is the evening Prayer service in the Roman Catholic, Eastern (Byzantine Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox, liturgies of the At the Divine Liturgy, the Epistle is Acts 1:1-12, and the Gospel is Luke 24:36-53. The Divine Liturgy is the common term for the Eucharistic service of the Byzantine tradition of Christian liturgy. An epistle (pronounced) ( Greek επιστολη epistolē "letter" is a writing directed or sent to a person or group of persons usually a letter This article is about the canonical books of the New Testament Ascension Thursday also commemorates the Holy Georgian Martyrs of Persia (17th - 18th centuries). Christianity in ancient and feudal Georgia According to tradition when the Apostles were sent out to preach the Gospel to the nations of the world the Apostle The term martyr ( Greek μάρτυς martys "witness" is most commonly used today to describe an individual who sacrifices their life (or personal freedom

Ascension has an Afterfeast of eight days. An Afterfeast is a period of celebration attached to one of the Great Feasts celebrated by the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches (roughly equivalent to The Sunday after Ascension is the Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council at Nicea. The Church Fathers, Early Church Fathers, or Fathers of the Church are the early and influential theologians and writers in the Christian Church The First Council of Nicaea, held in Nicaea in Bithynia (present-day İznik in Turkey) convoked by the Roman Emperor Constantine This council formulated the Nicene Creed up to the words, "He (Jesus) ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father; and shall come again, with glory, to judge the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end. The Nicene Creed (ˈnaɪsiːn is an ecumenical Christian statement of faith accepted in the Eastern Orthodox Church, Assyrian Church of " The Afterfeast ends on the following Friday, the Friday before Pentecost. The next day is appropriately a Saturday of the Dead (general commemoration of all faithful departed). In Western Christianity, All Souls' Day commemorates the faithful departed.

The Eastern Orthodox Church uses a different method of calculating the date of Pascha (Easter), so the Eastern Orthodox commemoration of Ascension will usually be after the western observance (anywhere from a week to as much as a month later; but occasionally on the same day). The earliest possible date for the feast is May 14, and the latest possible date is June 17. Events 1264 - Battle of Lewes: Henry III of England is captured in France making Simon de Montfort the Events 1462 - Vlad III the Impaler attempts to assassinate Mehmed II ( The Night Attack) forcing him to retreat Some of the Oriental Orthodox Churches, however, observe Ascension on the same date as the Western Churches.

Customs

Certain customs were connected with the liturgy of this feast, such as the blessing of beans and grapes after the Commemoration of the Dead in the Canon of the Mass, the blessing of first fruits, afterwards done on Rogation Days, the blessing of a candle, the wearing of mitres by deacon and subdeacon, the extinction of the paschal candle, and triumphal processions with torches and banners outside the churches to commemorate the entry of Christ into heaven. First Fruits are a religious Offering of the first agricultural produce of the Harvest. Rogation days are in the calendar of the Western Church four days traditionally set apart for solemn processions to invoke God's mercy Deacon is a role in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind but which varies among theological and denominational traditions Subdeacon (or sub-deacon is a title used in various branches of Christianity. This article describes the Paschal candle of the Western Churches

The antiquarian Daniel Rock records the English custom of carrying at the head of the procession the banner bearing the device of the lion and at the foot the banner of the dragon, to symbolize the triumph of Christ in his ascension over the evil one (and can also be interpreted by analogy as the triumph of England over Wales). Daniel Rock ( Very Reverend Canon Rock DD) ( 31 August 1799, Liverpool – 28 November 1871 Kensington England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland In some churches the scene of the Ascension was vividly reproduced by elevating the figure of Christ above the altar through an opening in the roof of the church. In others, whilst the figure of Christ was made to ascend, that of the devil was made to descend. The Devil is the

In a number of countries, including the United States and, since 2007 in England & Wales, Roman Catholic dioceses commemorate the feast on the subsequent Sunday (the Sunday before Pentecost). The United States of America —commonly referred to as the England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Pentecost (πεντηκοστή, pentekostē, "the fiftieth day" is one of the prominent feasts in the Christian Liturgical year, celebrated the

In some countries (e. g. Finland, Belgium, Austria, the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland) and Vanuatu it is a public holiday; Germany also holds its Father's Day on the same date. Finland, officially the Republic of Finland ( is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of northern Europe. The Kingdom of Belgium is a Country in northwest Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts its headquarters as well as those Austria (Österreich ( officially the Republic of Austria (Republik Österreich The Netherlands ( Dutch:, ˈnedərlɑnt is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of the Netherlands the Netherlands The Kingdom of Denmark ( ˈd̥ænmɑɡ̊ (archaic ˈd̥anmɑːɡ̊ commonly known as Denmark, is a country in the Scandinavian region of northern Europe Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. Switzerland (English pronunciation; Schweiz Swiss German: Schwyz or Schwiiz Suisse Svizzera Svizra officially the Swiss Confederation Vanuatu, officially the Republic of Vanuatu ( French: République de Vanuatu, Bislama: Ripablik blong Vanuatu) is an Island Father's Day is a celebration inaugurated in the early twentieth century to complement Mother's Day in celebrating Fatherhood and male Parenting, and

In Indonesia, Ascension Day is a public holiday. The Republic of Indonesia ( (Republik Indonesia is a Country in Southeast Asia. All government offices, schools and certain businesses are closed on Ascension Day by law. Many newspapers choose not to publish on this day.

Coinciding with the liturgical feast is the annual commemoration by the Christian labour movement (especially syndical, in Belgium) of the encyclical Rerum Novarum issued by the Roman Catholic Pope Leo XIII on 15 May 1891. Syndic ( Late Lat syndicus, Gr σύνδικος, one who helps in a court of justice an advocate representative a term applied in certain An encyclical was originally a circular letter sent to all the churches of a particular area in the ancient Christian church Rerum Novarum (Translation Of New Things) is an Encyclical issued by Pope Leo XIII on May 16 1891. Pope Leo XIII ( March 2, 1810 – July 20, 1903) born Count Vincenzo Gioacchino Raffaele Luigi Pecci, was the 256th Pope Events 1252 - Pope Innocent IV issues the Papal bull Ad exstirpanda, which authorizes but also limits the Year 1891 ( MDCCCXCI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common

References

(incomplete)

• This article incorporates text from the public-domain Catholic Encyclopedia of 1913. The public domain is a range of abstract materials &ndash commonly referred to as Intellectual property &ndash which are not owned or controlled by anyone The Catholic Encyclopedia, also referred to today as the Old Catholic Encyclopedia, is an English-language Encyclopedia published by The Encyclopedia Feast of the Ascension

External links

• Catholic Encyclopedia: Ascension
• The Ascension of our Lord Orthodox Icon and Synaxarion
• The Ascension of the Lord S. An icon (from Greek εἰκών eikōn, "image" is a religious work of art most commonly a painting from Eastern Christianity. Synaxarium, Synaxarion, Synexarium, Synexarion, pl Synaxaria ( Greek: Συναξάριον, from συναγειν V. Bulgakov, Manual for Church Servers (theology and symbolism of the Feast)
• The Chapel of the Ascension Studium Biblicum Franciscanum, Jerusalem
• Chapel of the Ascension, Jerusalem Detailed description, history and photos
• Convent of the Ascension Jerusalem Mission, Russian Orthodox Church