The Feast of the Ascension: Christ Enthroned in Glory
Gerald Largent
On the fortieth day after His glorious Resurrection from the dead, our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ ascended into Heaven in the sight of His disciples (Acts 1:9-11). Celebrated annually on the Thursday of the sixth week of Pascha, the Feast of the Ascension signifies not the conclusion of Christ's earthly mission, but rather the beginning of our shared journey in His divine life.
We recite the Nicene Creed at every Divine Liturgy. According to the Creed, Jesus "ascended into Heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father…" These statements proclaim a profound mystery. Christ, in His glorified human form, is exalted at the right hand of God the Father. He has carried our human nature—both body and soul—into the celestial realms, paving the way for all who follow Him. Far from being a mere theological concept, this is the cornerstone of our hope.
In the Ascension icon, we observe the Mother of God standing in tranquility and prayer, encircled by the Apostles, as Christ is elevated into the sky by angels. This moment signifies not abandonment but a promise. As the angels told the disciples, "This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner…" (Acts 1:11). The Ascension anticipates the Second Coming, when Christ will return in glory.
The Church also sees the beginning of Pentecost in the Ascension. Christ tells His followers to wait in Jerusalem for "the promise of the Father"—the Holy Spirit, who will descend ten days later to empower the Church for its mission in the world. The Ascension, then, is about Heaven, but it is also about preparation and empowerment for life on earth.
How is this Feast significant for us today?
The Ascension reminds us that Christ has not left us alone in a world that often feels heavy with suffering and confusion. He is present with us always, even as He reigns in Heaven. His glorified body assures us that our human nature is not meant for destruction but for transfiguration. Heaven is not a distant dream; it is the destiny of those united to Christ.
As we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension, let us lift our hearts to the Lord. Let us seek the things above, where Christ is seated in glory (Colossians 3:1). And let us prepare, with joy and expectation, for the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
Troparion of the Feast – Tone 4
You have ascended in glory, O Christ our God. You have made Your disciples joyful by the promise of the Holy Spirit. Through the blessing, they were assured that You are the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world.