Ascension of the Lord among Western Christians (26/05)

Ascension (lat. Ascensio Domini), which completes the salvation of Christ after death and rebirth, — is a holiday in memory of the ascension of Jesus Christ to heaven, which, according to legend, took place on the Mount of Olives near Bethany. This is a moving holiday — date it moves within May — early June and falls on the fortieth day after Easter.

The earliest documentary evidence of this festival, dating back to the 5th century, indicates that the custom of celebrating the Ascension was established long before this time. The iconographic display of this event, described in the Acts of the Apostles, can be found on diptychs (folds) and frescoes from the 5th century.

In the Roman Liturgy, the Ascension is one of the great holidays and is celebrated with an all-night service. Several special rites are associated with this holiday, including the blessing of beans and grapes during mass, extinguishing the Easter candle, and solemn processions.

To visually present to the people the very event of the Ascension of Christ into heaven, in some Roman Catholic churches the statue of Christ is raised to the very ceiling of the temple, accompanied by various ceremonies and chants.

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