The Catholic Ascension of God

The Ascension of GodAscension, completing the salvation of Christ after death and rebirth, is a passing festival in memory of Christ’s ascension to heaven, which, according to legend, took place on the Mount of Olives near Bethany. Its date moves within May - early June and falls on the fortieth day after Easter.

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

In the Roman Liturgy, Ascension is one of the great feasts and is celebrated with all-night worship. Several special ceremonies are associated with this holiday, including the blessing of beans and grapes during mass, the quenching of the Easter candle, and solemn processions.

In order to visually present to the people the very event of the Ascension of Christ to 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.