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The '''Ascension''' of [[Jesus Christ]] is one of the [[Great Feasts]] of the [[Orthodox Church]], celebrated forty days after [[Pascha]] (and thus always falling on a Thursday -- —''see'' [[Paschalion]]).

Forty days after the [[Resurrection]], while blessing His his [[apostles|disciples]] ([[Gospel of Luke]] 24:50-51), Christ ascended into [[heaven]], taking His his place at the right hand of the [[God the Father|Father]] ([[Gospel of Mark]] 16:19 and [[Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed]]).

== [[Scripture|Scriptural]] accounts ==The first account of the Ascension found in the [[Scripture|Bible]] is in the [[Gospel of Mark]] (16:14-19). The description is brief. Jesus and the remaining eleven [[disciple]]s are seated at a table, presumably in a room in or near [[Jerusalem]]. Jesus commands his followers to spread the [[Gospel]], and that those who believe will be known by their invulnerability to poison, ability to heal the sick, and the like. After delivering these final words, Jesus is received into heaven to sit at the right hand of God. No description of the Ascension itself is given; Mark simply states that it happened.

The first account of the Ascension found in the [[Scripture|BibleGospel of Luke]] is even more brief in the Gospel of [[Apostle Mark|Mark]] its description (1624:1450-1951). The description is brief. Jesus and led the remaining eleven [[Disciple]]s are seated at a tableto Bethany, presumably in a room in or near [[not far from Jerusalem]]. Jesus commands his followers to spread While in the [[Gospel]], and that those who believe will be known by their invulnerability to poison, ability to heal the sick, and the like. After delivering these final wordsact of blessing them, Jesus is received into Heaven was carried up to sit at the right hand of God. No description of the Ascension itself is given; Mark simply states that it happenedheaven.

The Gospel third, and most celebrated, account of Luke the Ascension is even more brief in its description the [[Acts of the Apostles]] (241:509-5112). For forty days after the Resurrection, Jesus led continued to preach the Gospel. Jesus and the eleven were gathered near Mt. Olivet (or the Mount of Olives), to the northeast of Bethany. Jesus tells his disciples that they will receive the power of the [[Holy Spirit]] and that they will spread his message the world over. Jesus is taken up and received by a cloud. Some traditions say that he was taken up in a fiery chariot, not far from Jerusalemmuch like the [[Prophet]] [[Elijah]]. While Two men clothed in white appear and tell the act disciples that Jesus will return in the same manner as he was taken. They say: "Ye men of blessing themGalilee, why stand ye gazing up into Heaven? This same Jesus was carried , Who is taken up from you into Heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into Heaven" (Acts 1:11).<ref>Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible. See [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%201&version=9 Acts Chapter 1].</ref> Afterwards, the disciples return to HeavenJerusalem rejoicing, remaining continually in the Temple.

The third, and most celebrated, account of the Ascension is in the Acts of the Apostles (1:9-12). For forty days after the Resurrection, Jesus continued to preach the [[Gospel. Jesus and the eleven were gathered near Mt. Olivet (or the Mount of Olives), to the northeast of Bethany. Jesus tells his disciples that they will receive the power of the [[Holy SpiritMatthew]] and that they will spread his message the world over. Jesus is taken up and received by ends at a cloud. Some traditions say that he was taken up mountain in a fiery chariotGalilee, much like the [[Prophet]] Elijah. Two men clothed in white appear and tell with Jesus commanding the disciples that Jesus will return in to spread the same manner as he was takenGospel. They say: "Ye men No mention of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into Heaven? This same Jesus, Who the Ascension is taken up from you into Heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into Heaven"{{ref|1}}(Acts 1:11). Afterwards the disciples return to Jerusalem rejoicing, remaining continually in the Templemade.

==Importance==The Gospel Ascension of Matthew ends at a mountain Christ shows the last stage in Galilee, God's plan for mankind: total union with Jesus commanding Himself upon one's departure from the Disciples world. According to spread [[Orthodox Church in America|OCA]], "in the GospelAscension resides the meaning and the fullness of Christ's Resurrection. No mention ...and with Christ, man's nature ascends also."<ref>[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=42 The Ascension of the Ascension is made.Our Lord] (OCA)</ref>

== Importance Hymns== The Ascension of Christ shows the last stage in God's plan for mankind: total union with Himself upon one's departure from the world. According to [[Orthodox Church in America|OCATroparion]], "in the Ascension resides the meaning and the fullness of Christ's Resurrection....and with Christ, man's nature ascends also."  == Hymns ==([[TroparionTone]] (Tone 4) [http://www.oca.org/FStropars.asp?SID=13&ID=42]

:Granting joy to Your disciples by the promise of the [[Holy Spirit]].

[[Kontakion]] (Tone 6)[http://www.oca.org/FStropars.asp?SID=13&ID=42]

:I am with you and no one will be against you.

==Reference==<references /> ==Sources==* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wikiw/Ascension wikipediaindex.php?title=Ascension_of_Jesus&oldid=55576418 Wikipedia:Ascension]* [http://www.goarch.org/en/chapel/saints.asp?contentid=943&PCode=6PTh&D=TH&DT=6/1/2006 6th Thursday after Pascha/Ascension] ([[GOARCH:Ascension]])* [http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=42 OCA:The Ascension of Our Lord](OCA) ==External links==* {{note|1}} Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible. See [http://www.biblegatewaygoarch.comorg/en/special/listen_learn_share/ascension/passagelearn/?search=Acts%201&version=9 Acts Chapter 1Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ](GOARCH)* [http://www.comeandseeicons.com/festal/festal.htm#phf10 Icons of Ascension]