Feast of the Ascension
Teacher Mulat Demlie
The Feast of the Ascension is a feast in which we commemorate and celebrate the great mystery of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ ascending to the highest heavens on the fortieth day after He rose from the dead, uniting His body with His soul, by the will of His Father, by His own authority, and in the unity of the Holy Spirit. This feast, in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, is one of the nine major feasts of our Lord and is celebrated with special spiritual rites and great joy.
The historical origin of the Feast of the Ascension is linked to the work of salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ Himself. After His resurrection, our Lord appeared to His disciples for forty days, teaching them about the Kingdom of God. (Acts 1:3). These forty days were times during which the apostles confirmed His resurrection and were strengthened in the mystery.
On the fortieth day, our Lord took His disciples out as far as Bethany, which is in the area of the Mount of Olives. He lifted up His hands and blessed them; and while His blessing, He parted from them and ascended into heaven. (Holy Gospel of Luke 24:50-51). The apostles watched Him with their own eyes as He ascended. A cloud hid Him from their sight. And as they were gazing intently into heaven, behold, two men dressed in white garments stood beside them and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This same Jesus, Who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:9-11).
Our Lord’s ascension was not a sudden and unexpected event. Prophets in the Old Testament had prophesied about this. For example:
Prophet David prophesized about His ascension saying, “God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.” (Psalm 47:5) And, “You ascended on high; You led captivity captive; You received gifts among men.” (Psalm 68:18).
Therefore, the historical basis of the feast is the event of His ascension performed by our Lord Himself.
Biblical and Patristic Teachings on the Ascension
Our Lord’s ascension has several biblical and patristic theological implications. Among these, the main ones are the followings:
- The completion of Christ’s earthly ministry and the manifestation of His glory
The ascension is the culmination of the earthly part of Christ’s saving work. After being revealed in the flesh, teaching, being crucified, dying, and resurrecting, it signifies His return to His former glory, to His Father. As Saint Athanasius of Alexandria teaches, “Our Lord ascended in His incarnate flesh; this confirms that our flesh has a place and is honored in heaven.” And through His ascension, Christ restored to humanity the right of sonship and glory that was lost through sin.
- The glorification of our united flesh (The culmination of the mystery of Tewahedo/Incarnation)
When our Lord, God the Son of God, united with human flesh and ascended with that flesh, it is a great honor for all humankind. Saint Cyril of Alexandria shows the communion and glory of human nature with God by saying, “The Son, while being equal to the Father in His nature, united with our flesh and ascended it to heaven; this shows that we too will follow Him to that glory.”
- The gift of the Holy Spirit and the establishment of the Church
Our Lord had told the apostles, “If I do not go away, the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.” (Holy Gospel of John 16:7). Therefore, His ascension paved the way for the descent of the Holy Spirit (the Feast of Paraclete/Pentecost). Our Lord had promised to send them the Holy Spirit, called the Paraclete (John 14:26).
- His being the Head of the Church
By ascending to heaven, Christ was appointed as the Head of His Church. (Epistle to the Ephesians 1:20-23). The Church is His body; and He, from heaven, guides, protects, and strengthens His Church.
- Confirmation of the promise of His Second Coming (Hope of the Second Coming and reminder of Judgment Day)
As the angels announced, our Lord will come again in glory just as He ascended. His ascension is a confirmation of His Second Coming and Judgment. (Acts 1:11).
- Preparation of a heavenly place for us
Our Lord said, “In My Father’s house are many mansions; … I go to prepare a place for you.” (Holy Gospel of John 14:2-3). His ascension confirms this promise and gives us hope that we have a place in the heavenly kingdom.
The Implication of the Feast of Ascension in the Lives of Christians
Our Lord’s ascension has profound implications in the spiritual lives of Christians.
- Source of heavenly hope
Christ’s ascension strengthens our hope for our future ascension and dwelling in the heavenly kingdom.
- It urges us to set our hearts and minds on heavenly things (A call to lift our hearts to heaven)
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Epistle to the Colossians 3:1-2)
- It strengthens us in spiritual service
Before His ascension, our Lord gave the Great Commission. (Holy Gospel of Matthew 28:19-20). His ascension encourages us to fulfill this mission with power and authority. Just as His ascension enabled the coming of the Holy Spirit, it reminds us to live renewed and strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Christian Practices We Should Observe When Celebrating the Feast of Ascension
When we celebrate the Feast of Ascension, we should perform the following Christian practices, coordinating them with the teachings of the Fathers:
- Diligence in prayer, thanksgiving, and the Divine Liturgy
Ascension is a feast of victory and glory. Therefore, we should offer heartfelt thanks for the saving work our Lord has done for us, especially for honoring our flesh and raising it to heaven. Attending church and participating in the Divine Liturgy, partaking in the day’s praises, prayers, and the rite of Holy Communion to renew our fellowship with our Lord is essential.
- Studying the Holy Scriptures and the interpretations of the Fathers
To properly understand the mystery of the Ascension, reading the relevant parts of the Holy Scriptures (Acts chapter 1, Holy Gospel of Luke chapter 24, Epistle to the Ephesians chapter 1, and Epistle to the Hebrews chapter 1) as well as the writings of the Fathers will broaden our spiritual knowledge.
- Lifting the heart from earthly things and setting it on heavenly things
As the Fathers have urged us, our Lord’s ascension inspires us to lift our thoughts from the temporary things of this world and set them on heavenly and eternal things.
- Almsgiving and works of love
As our Lord said, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Holy Gospel of Matthew 25:40), expressing Christ’s love in action and sharing blessings.
May our Lord’s mercy and blessing be with us; Amen!