The 40th day after Easter Sunday is the commemoration of the Feast of the Ascension of Christ into Heaven, Body and Soul. Biblical references can be found in Acts 1:2, Mark 16:19, and Luke 24:51. Jesus’ ascension into Heaven was the completion of our redemption. Tradition says that Mount Olivet near the town of Bethany was the place where Jesus left this earth.
The Feast of the Ascension is an ancient one. There is no documentation of the feast day’s existence before the beginning of the fifth century, However, St. Augustine observed the day to be of Apostolic origin and refers to it as a feast day long before his time. The writings of St. John Chrysostom, St. Gregory of Nyssa, and in the Constitution of the Apostles make frequent mention of the Feast of the Ascension.
Interesting to note are the customs which have evolved down through the years in relation to this feast day.
*The blessing of beans and grapes after the Commemoration of the Dead in the Canon of the Mass.
*The blessing of the first fruits done on Rogation Days.
* The blessing of a candle.
*The wearing of mitres by deacon and subdeacon.
*The extinction of the Paschal Candle (now here’s one we all know!)
*Triumphal processions outside the churches to honor the entry of Christ into heaven.
*An English custom of carrying at the head of a procession a banner with a lion and at the end of the procession, a banner of a dragon to symbolize the triumph of Christ in His Ascension over Satan.
All in all, the feast day is respected and honored to celebrate the completion of our salvation, the pledge of our glorification with Jesus, and His entry into heaven with our human natures glorified.
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