The meaning of the holiday
The name of the holiday reflects the essence of the event - this is the Ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ to Heaven, the completion of His earthly ministry.
The number 40 is not random, but meaningful. Throughout Sacred history, this was the time of the end of great feats. According to the Law of Moses, on the 40th day, babies had to be brought by their parents to the temple, to the Lord.
It, like Easter, has a moving date. The celebration is dedicated to the ascension of Jesus Christ to Heaven after the completion of his earthly ministry. People also consider this date to be the beginning of summer and the end of spring.
This year all Orthodox Christians will again celebrate the Ascension of the Lord. What date will the celebration take place? In 2022, Ascension falls on May 17th. In 2022, Ascension falls on June 6
His resurrection indicated that his earthly life had come to an end. But for another 40 days he continued to communicate with his students, blessed them for good deeds, and gave them advice.
That is, in fact, on the fortieth day after the death of Jesus Christ, we remember him and the tragic events of the crucifixion. On this day, Christ gathered the apostles on Mount Olivet, blessed them and ascended to heaven.
Features of worship
On the eve of the celebration, the “giving away” of Easter traditionally takes place. After this, believers no longer address each other with the words “Christ is Risen!” Therefore, the day preceding the holiday is marked by an Easter service with the royal doors open with the singing of hymns of the Resurrection of Christ. The usual hours on weekdays are also replaced by special ones, Easter.
A vigil is held in the evening before the celebration. It consists of Vespers connected to Matins.
Vespers
During Vespers, 3 proverbs are read. These are the words of the Old Testament prophets about the Ascension, two - St. Isaiah and one - St. Zechariah.
Isaiah testifies of the Mountain of the house of the Lord, to which all nations will flock (Is. 2:2-3); in another passage from his book, the greatness and power of the glory of the Messiah is predicted, but at the same time it speaks of the love of God:
“The Lord, the good judge of the house of Israel, deals with us according to His mercy, and according to the abundance of His righteousness... And it will be their salvation from all their tribulation. Not an intercessor, lower than an angel, but the Lord Himself saved them: because He loved them and had mercy on them, He Himself delivered them, and accepted them, and exalted them all the days of the age” (Is. 62:10-12)
Prophecy of St. Zechariah directly names the Mount of Olives as the place of glory of the Messiah:
“Behold, the day of the Lord is coming, and on the next day they will stand on the Mount of Olives, right in Jerusalem, toward the east of the sun” (Zechariah 14:1,4,8,11).
Matins
The peculiarity of Matins is that after the Gospel, as on the eve of Sunday, the chant “Having seen the Resurrection of Christ...” is sung, since the events of Easter and the Ascension are very closely connected.
2 special canons are also read. The first of them is called the “Canon of John the Monk.” It was written in the 8th century. St. John of Damascus. The second canon is the creation of St. Joseph the Songwriter, 9th century saint.
In addition, more than once during the service the kontakion and ikos are played in celebration. They have very ancient origins, in the 5th century. they were written by St. Roman Sladkopevets.
Liturgy
On the holiday, the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. The service is distinguished by festive chants, as well as the troparion and kontakion of the holiday that are repeated many times.
As a Gospel reading, believers are offered:
- excerpt from chapter 1 of the Acts of the Apostles;
- 114 is the beginning of the Gospel of Luke, which tells about the Lord’s appearance to the disciples and His Ascension.
History of the Ascension of Jesus Christ
In the New Testament in the Acts of the Apostles (chapter 1:9-11) these events are described as follows:
“He was lifted up before their eyes, and a cloud took Him out of their sight. And when they looked at the sky, during His ascension, suddenly two men in white clothes appeared to them and said: Men of Galilee! Why are you standing and looking at the sky? This Jesus, who has ascended from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him ascending into heaven.”
The story of the Ascension of the Lord is described in the Acts of the Holy Apostles, in the Gospel of Luke, at the end of the Gospel of Mark.
After the miracle of the Ascension, his disciples returned to Jerusalem happy and joyful, since this event is not the day of the loss of the Most High, but is a symbol of the transformation and ascension of all people into His Kingdom.
Jesus took his place at the right hand of God the Father and has been a constant presence on Earth ever since.
Ten days after the Ascension, the Holy Spirit descended to the apostles and gave them the strength to preach the Christian faith among people. Pentecost is celebrated on this day (50th day after Great Easter).
Symbol of faith
The Ascension of Christ is another striking revelation of His glory and a stage in the salvation of man of great significance. Because of his great love for man, God followed the path of self-abasement and from the heights of Divinity came to accept human flesh, went through the Passion, the most humiliating death and, having reached the palaces of hell, returned to his heavenly throne, sitting next to the eternal Father. Gravity and other laws of nature are abolished. The Lord of all creation will continue His saving work from heaven: “He who descended, he also ascended above all the heavens, to fill all things” (Eph. 4:10). The High Priest Christ passed through heaven (see Heb. 4:14), entered the Holy of Holies not made with hands, became the forerunner of our salvation and, being at the right hand of the Father, intercedes for us (see Rom. 8:34, Eph. 2:7, Heb. 6:20).
During his earthly life, Christ constantly preached salvation from corruption and death, both in his word and in his deeds. Thus, by his Resurrection, He showed his disciples his victory over death. His subsequent communication with his disciples convinced them that it was He who had risen. And ultimately, through the Ascension, He made them witnesses of His return to Divinity. Without a doubt, the Ascension is a kind of triumphant completion of the saving mission of Christ on earth.
As we read Acts, it should not escape our notice that the event of the Rapture is preceded by the disciples' question about the time of the restoration of the Kingdom of Israel. Jesus explains to them that knowledge of the future is not part of their ability, but that the Ascension into heaven reveals the spiritual nature of His message. Since the disciples could not, even after the transcendental laws of the Resurrection, understand the true nature of His mission, the Lord chooses precisely this moment to ascend on a cloud and thereby emphasize His heavenly origin. The presence of two angels during this event reveals the Divine nature of the ascending Word.
But this angelic presence should not be regarded as “decoration” or an emphasis on the Lordship of Christ over all creation. The angels show the upcoming disciples that the ascending Lord will return to earth in the same way. This, on the one hand, becomes an answer to the previous question of the disciples and, on the other hand, makes a promise about the future path of the believer's body. In addition, being “caught up” on a cloud is a purely eschatological aspect (“Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:17)) . The eschatological implications of His return will soon be confirmed and completed by the sending of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.
In other words, both the response of Jesus and the testimony of the angels open a period of eschatological anticipation for the Church. Therefore, the Church acquires an “encouraging” meaning. From now on, she has confidence in her path to the heavenly fatherland.
The Ascension event gives meaning to the entire plan of the Divine plan. God becomes man in order to save man, is sent to suffering and death, is resurrected and returns to the Father. However, this does not mean that the work of the Divine plan is interrupted here. The work of human salvation continues with the coming of the Holy Spirit and is embodied in the Church, which carries its mission to all nations.
The Ascension returns human nature to heaven, incorruptible, immortal and glorious in Christ: “And he raised us up and seated us in the heavens” (Eph. 2:5-6). Through Christ, our flesh ascended to the highest Kingdom, became His heir and gained immortality (John Chrysostom, Second Homily on the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ, PG Vol. 52, p. 794). Saint Gregory Palamas emphasizes that this honor does not apply abstractly to human nature, but to each of us individually (Homily XXI, on the Ascension of the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ, PG 151, 277A). According to the theology of the Church Fathers, the actions of Divinity are not turned inward, but are characterized by Divine love. Therefore, when Jesus returns to the depths of the Trinity, he takes humanity with him.
The glory of the Lord, which the disciples witnessed, and the promises of the two angels caused the disciples to overcome their sadness at parting and return to Jerusalem full of joy (Luke 24:52). Therefore, on this day, it is not separation from the Lord that is celebrated - after all, He himself promised his constant presence (see Matt. 18:20, 28:20) - but the opening of heaven for humanity. We celebrate “the exaltation of our nature, the beginning of the ascension of each of the believers” (Gregory Palamas).
The Ascension is associated with both the royal and hieratic (due to His heavenly intercession) properties of Christ. Its meaning is also revealed in the Creed, although it was also contained in the first catechisms.
The Apostle Paul speaks of the Ascension and heavenly glory of Christ, encountering various beliefs, for example, with the heretical cult of angels among the Colossians, according to which they can surpass Jesus (see Col. 1:15, 2:15 - 18).
The Ascension is closely related to Pentecost. The ancient evidence of the Church tells us that until the end of the 4th century there was a general celebration of these events. The completion of Christ's bodily presence in the world was celebrated. In addition, between the events of the Ascension and Pentecost, there was an expectation of the disciples for the fulfillment of Jesus' promise.
Finally, in some indirect and at the same time clear way, Christ’s ascension to heaven emphasizes the fundamental Christian virtue of humility. As we said above, God’s love for His creation and the Son’s obedience to the will of the Father through dishonor led Him to “death, and death on the cross.” For this reason, the Father “has highly exalted Him and given Him the name that is above every name” (Phil. 2:6–11). At the same time, Jesus’ teaching that “the last will become first” is also fulfilled (Matthew 19:30).
Prayer to the Ascension of the Lord
Lord Jesus Christ, our God, who descended from the heavenly heights of our salvation for the sake of and nourished us with spiritual joy on the holy and bright days of Your Resurrection, and again, after the completion of Your earthly ministry, ascended from us to heaven with glory and is seated at the right hand of God and the Father!
On this “clear and all-bright day of Your Divine ascension into heaven”, “the earth celebrates and rejoices, and the sky also rejoices at the Ascension of the Creator of creation today,” people praise unceasingly, seeing their lost and fallen nature on Your frame, the Savior, taken to earth and ascended to heaven, The angels rejoice, saying: He who came in glory is mighty in battle. Is this truly the King of Glory?! Grant us the power also to the weak, earthly ones who are still philosophic and carnal, to create unceasingly, Thy awesome rise into heaven, thinking and celebrating, putting aside carnal and worldly cares and from Thy Apostles now looking to heaven with all our hearts and with all our thoughts, remembering how it is there in heaven woe is our residence, but here on earth we are just strangers and strangers, having departed from the house of the Father to the faraway land of sin. For this reason, we earnestly ask Thee, by Thy glorious Ascension, O Lord, revive our conscience, even though there is nothing more necessary in the world, lead us out of the captivity of this sinful flesh and world and make us wise on a mountain, and not earthly, so that we will not please anyone and live, but we will serve You, the Lord and Our God, and we will work, until we have renounced the bonds of the flesh and gone through unrestrained airy ordeals, we will reach Your heavenly abodes, where, standing at the right hand of Your Majesty, with the Archangels and Angels and with all the saints, we will glorify Your All-Holy Name with the Beginning Your Father and the Most Holy and Consubstantial and Life-Giving Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Troparion for the Ascension of the Lord
Troparion, tone 4
Thou art exalted in glory, O Christ our God, having brought joy to the disciple by the promise of the Holy Spirit, informed by the former blessing, for Thou art the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world.
Kontakion, tone 6
Having fulfilled his concern for us, and having united us on earth with heaven, he ascended in glory, Christ our God, in no way departed, but remained persistent, and cried out to those who love Thee: I am with you and no one is against you.
Greatness
We magnify You, Life-Giving Christ, and honor You in heaven, with Your Most Pure flesh, the Divine Ascension.
Canon of the Ascension of the Lord
voice 5
Song 1
Irmos: To the Savior God who taught people with wet feet in the sea, and to the Pharaoh who drowned all his hosts, we will sing to the One who is glorified. Chorus: Glory, Lord, to Your holy Ascension. Let all people sing, on the arms of the Cherubim I will ascend with glory to Christ and to Him who has seated us at the right hand of the Father, a song of victory: for I am glorified. Glory, Lord, to Your holy Ascension. Having interceded with God and the man of Christ, having seen the faces of the Angel in flesh on high, I was amazed, according to the song of victory that was sung: for he was glorified. Glory: To Him who appeared to God on Mount Sinai and gave the law to Moses the Seer of God, who ascended in flesh from the Mount of Olives, to Him let us all sing: for He has been glorified. And now: Most Pure Mother of God, incarnated from You, and from the bosom of the Parent who has not departed, pray unceasingly to save from every circumstance what you have created.
Song 3
Irmos: By the power of Your Cross, O Christ, confirm my thoughts to sing and glorify Your saving Ascension. Glory, Lord, to Your holy Ascension. Thou hast ascended, O Life-Giver Christ, to the Father, and Thou hast exalted our race, O Lover of Mankind, by Thy ineffable compassion. Glory, Lord, to Your holy Ascension. Honor the Angels, O Savior, human nature, having seen the rise of You, is constantly amazed by the praise of You. Glory, Lord, to Your holy Ascension. I am terrified of the Angel's face, O Christ, seeing You ascended with your body, and I sing of Your holy Ascension. Glory: You raised up human nature, O Christ, through decay, and through Your rising You lifted us up, and You glorified us with You. And now: Pray unceasingly, O Pure One, who came from Thy lies, to get rid of the charms of the devil, who sing to Thee, Mother of God.
Sedalen, voice 8th Following onto the clouds of heaven, leaving the world on earth, you ascended and sat down at the right hand of the Father, as He is Consubstantial with Himself and the Spirit. Even though you appeared in the flesh, you remained immutable: therefore you expect the end of the fulfillment, the judge coming to the earth to the whole world. Justice, Lord, have mercy on our souls, granting remission of sins, for God is merciful, to Your servant.
Song 4
Irmos: I heard the sound of the power of the Cross, as if paradise had been opened to them, and I cried out: Glory to Your power, O Lord. Glory, Lord, to Your holy Ascension. You ascended in glory, You sent angels to the King, You sent us a Comforter from the Father. We also cry out: Glory, O Christ, to Thy Ascension. Glory, Lord, to Your holy Ascension. As the Savior ascended to the Father with flesh, the angelic host marveled at Him, and cried out: Glory, O Christ, to Thy Ascension. Glory: The angelic powers cry out to the highest: lift up the gates to Christ our King, Whom we sing together with the Father and the Spirit. And now: the Virgin gave birth, and the mother is not known: but the Mother is, and remains a Virgin, even as we sing, Hail to the Mother of God, we cry.
Song 5
Irmos: We cry out in the morning to Thee, O Lord, save us: For Thou art our God, for we know no other to Thee. Glory, Lord, to Your holy Ascension. Having filled all kinds of joy, O Merciful One, you came with the flesh to the heavenly powers. Glory, Lord, to Your holy Ascension. You have seen the angelic powers, take the gates and cry to our King. Glory: The Apostles, having seen the Savior exalted, tremblingly cried out to our King: glory to Thee. And now: Virgin at Christmas we sing Thee, Mother of God, for Thou didst give birth to God the Word in the flesh of the world.
Song 6
Irmos: The abyss has passed me by, my grave has become a whale, but I cried out to You, Lover of Mankind, and Your right hand saved me, O Lord. Glory, Lord, to Your holy Ascension. The apostles leapt, seeing the heights of the Creator today, and with the hope of the Spirit, and with fear, I called: glory to Thy rising. Glory, Lord, to Your holy Ascension. The Angels appeared, crying out to Christ as Thy disciple: in the same way you see Christ ascending with the flesh, and the Righteous Judge of all will come. Glory: Having seen You, our Savior, the heavenly powers, I brought you to the heights with your body, crying out, saying: Great Master, Your love for mankind. And now: We worthily glorify Thy unburnt bush, and the mountain, and the animated ladder, and the door of heaven, Glorious Mary, praise to the Orthodox. Lord have mercy. (Thrice.) Glory even now. Kontakion, Tone 6 Having fulfilled your watch over us, and having united us on earth with the heavenly, You ascended in glory, O Christ our God, never departing, but remaining persistent, and crying out to those who love You: I am with you, and no one is against you. Ikos Even though we have left the earth upon the earth, even the ashen dust that yields, come, let us rise up, and let us raise our eyes and thoughts to a height, let us fix our views, together with our feelings, on the heavenly gates, in death, incapable of being in the Mount of Olives, and look at the Deliverer on the clouds. From there the Lord ascended into heaven, and there He gave gracious gifts to His apostles, comforting me like a Father, and strengthening me, instructing them like sons, and I said to them: I will not separate you, I am with you, and no one else is against you.
Song 7
Irmos: In the fiery furnace the hymns saved the youths, blessed be God our father. Glory, Lord, to Your holy Ascension. He ascended into the clouds of light and saved the world, blessed be God our father. Glory, Lord, to Your holy Ascension. On the frame of the Savior, the lost nature of the world, ascended, you brought it to God and the Father. Glory, Lord, to Your holy Ascension. Ascended in the flesh to the incorporeal Father, blessed is God our father. Glory: You have brought our nature, mortified by sin, to Your characteristic Father, the Savior. And now: You were born of a Virgin, even as you made the Mother of God, blessed be God our father.
Song 8
Irmos: From the Father, before the age of time, the Son was born, and of God, and in the last year of the incarnation of the Virgin Mother, sing to the priests, exalting people to all ages. Glory, Lord, to Your holy Ascension. In the two beings of Christ, the Life-Giver, who has flown to heaven with glory, and to the neighboring Father, the priests, sing, praise the people to all ages (Twice). Glory, Lord, to Your holy Ascension. The one who delivered the idolatrous creation from the work and presented it free to Your Father, we sing to You, the Savior, and we exalt You to all ages. Glory: By your descent, who deposed the adversary, and by your ascension, you exalted men, priests, and exalt men forever. And now: You have appeared above the Cherubim, O Pure Mother of God, who bore the Simago in Your womb: Whom with the incorporeal, we praise men for all ages.
Song 9
Irmos: You, more than intelligence and words, the Mother of God, who in the summer of the Flightless One ineffably gave birth, we magnify with one and the same faith. Glory, Lord, to Your holy Ascension. To you, the Savior of the world, Christ God, the apostles, seeing Divinely exalted, play with greatness with fear. Glory, Lord, to Your holy Ascension. Seeing your deified flesh, O Christ, on high the Angels said to each other: Truly this is our God. Glory, Lord, to Your holy Ascension. You, the incorporeal ranks, O Christ God, are thrown upon the clouds, seeing, crying out: Glory to the King, take away the gates. Glory: To You who descended even to the last of the earth, and who saved man, and who exalted You by Your ascension, We magnify Him. And now: Rejoice, Mother of God, Mother of Christ God: Whom you gave birth to, today you are lifted up from the earth from the apostles seeing, you magnified.
Akathist to the Ascension of the Lord
Kontakion 1
Chosen Voevodo, Creative of heaven and earth! To the conqueror of death we offer a laudable song, as through Your most luminous Resurrection from the dead You ascended into heaven with glory and with Your most pure flesh You sat down at the right hand of God and the Father, and You took up our fallen nature with You, and freed us from sins and from eternal death forever . We celebrate Your Divine Ascension with Your disciples and cry out to You from our hearts:
Jesus, who ascended from us into heaven, do not leave us orphans.
Ikos 1
The faces of the Archangels and Angels presented themselves to You, the King of all, on the Mount of Olives, with fear seeing You on the heights of heaven and taking you down in the flesh, and glorifying the greatness of Your love for mankind, singing to You like this:
Jesus, King of Glory, ascend into heaven with a shout of trumpets.
Jesus, Lord of Hosts, mount the cherubim and fly on the wing of the wind.
Jesus, Eternal God, give Your voice a voice of power, so that the whole earth may now tremble.
Jesus, Most High Light, show Your Power on the clouds, and let fire ignite from Your Face.
Jesus, Redeemer of creation, prepare Your Throne in heaven and let Your Kingdom have no end.
Jesus, Creator of heaven and earth, sit at the right hand of Your Father, that God may be all in all.
Jesus, who ascended from us into heaven, do not leave us orphans.
Kontakion 2
Having seen the Apostles rise from the dead, Master Lord, when in the forty days You showed Yourself to them, speaking about the mysteries of the Kingdom of God, and having received from You the commandment not to separate from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promises of the Father, until they were clothed with power from above, having come together, we remained together with one accord. in prayer singing to You with one mouth and one heart: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
Opening the mind of Divine vision, O All-merciful Jesus, Thou brought forth Thy disciples as far as Bethany, and brought them up to the Mount of Olives, and began to prepare for the great Mystery of Thy Ascension into heaven, saying: Draw near, O My friends, the time of ascension has passed, so teach all tongues the word , which you heard from My voice, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Tiy, still wise on earth, asked whether in this summer you would establish the Kingdom of Israel. Instead, You told them: “You cannot understand the times and years that the Father has laid down in His power,” so that they will be prepared to meet His Heavenly Bridegroom, crying out:
Jesus, Good Shepherd, never be separated from us, but remain with us continually.
Jesus, the Good Teacher, sent down the Holy Comforter Spirit to us, may he always remain with us.
Jesus, our Enlightener, enlighten our souls with Your Ascension to the Heavenly Father.
Jesus, our Savior, save us from cowardice and storms through Your intercession.
Jesus, our Teacher, by the word of Your mouth guide us to Your service.
Jesus, our Helper, by Your Holy Spirit remember to us Your Revelation.
Jesus, who ascended from us into heaven, do not leave us orphans.
Kontakion 3
The Apostles were endowed with power from above, O Jesus, when on the Mount of Olives you promised them the descent of the Holy Spirit. Thou hast commanded them, that Thy witness may be in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and even to the last of the earth, saying: Come and enter into My gates, prepare My way, and make My way for My people, and place stones for the way; lift up a sign in tongues, yes all the faithful will sing with you: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
Having an abyss of mercy, Sweetest Jesus, Your disciples and the wives who followed You and especially Your Mother who bore You, filled You with countless joys at Your Ascension, even when you had already departed from them, You stretched out Your hands and blessed You, saying: “Behold, I am with you in all the days until the end of the age,” and filled with fear, I glorified Your merciful condescension, saying:
Jesus, Giver of mercy, have mercy on the human race who came to Olivet.
Jesus, Joyner of the Sorrowful, Your friends who are with You, desire to comfort them.
Jesus, Hope of the hopeless, Your blessing saved us from despondency when we departed to heaven.
Jesus, Refuge of the homeless, by Your Ascension the rise to the Heavenly Father has been granted to us.
Jesus, Good Comforter, send us another Comforter from the Father who has promised.
Jesus, Great Shepherd of the sheep, Your faithful flock is not pleased to be scattered.
Jesus, who ascended from us into heaven, do not leave us orphans.
Kontakion 4
In a storm of bewilderment and much sorrow, the Apostles were filled with sobs of tears, when they saw You, Christ, they were lifted up into the clouds and weepingly said: Master, how now are you leaving Your servants, you have loved them for Your mercy, as you go, you will hold the ends with your hands? We, having left everything, followed God to You, rejoicing, having hope of being with You forever. Do not leave us orphans, as you promised, do not separate from us, our Good Shepherd, but send us Your Most Holy Spirit, instructing, enlightening and sanctifying our souls, so that we may sing to You with gratitude: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
Hearing the sobs of Your disciple, Lord Lord, about the separation of those who mourn, You bestowed the most perfect blessing on Your friends, saying: Do not weep, beloved, and reject all lamentation, it is good for you to eat, so that I go to My Father, if I do not go, the Comforter will not come . For your sake I descended from heaven, and for your sake I will ascend again into heaven to prepare a place for you, for I will not leave My sheep, which I have gathered together, I will not forget, them whom I have loved. Having been comforted by these Divine words, I cried out to You with tenderness:
All-merciful Jesus, having turned our sorrow and tears into joy, do not deprive us of eternal joy in Your Kingdom.
All-Bounteous Jesus, who filled us with joy in Your Ascension, preserve our spirit in everlasting joy and in the earthly journey.
Jesus, like a kokosh who gathers his chicks, do not allow us to be separated according to the centuries of this world.
Jesus, who bound us together in a covenant of love at the Supper, do not allow us to be scattered by the action of Satan, like wheat.
Jesus, Thy peace which you have left for us as an inheritance, keep us in one mind and in Thy love.
Jesus, who has established many abodes in paradise, prepare a place for us in Your Heavenly Abode.
Jesus, who ascended from us into heaven, do not leave us orphans.
Kontakion 5
The God-rich cloud greatly brightened and lifted You up, O Life-Giver, as a disciple of the beholders, when you retreated from them, You blessed, and so with much glory, as if carried on the wings of cherubim, Your wondrous ascent to Your Father You made into heaven, which was previously impassable from the spirits the evils of the heavenly places and from the princes of the powers of the air, now you are received within, so that from all creation, visible and invisible, you will hear the angelic song: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Having seen Your glorious Ascension with flesh into heaven, the King of creation, repair the angelic, the depths of existence, being horrified, I said to the highest powers: Lift up the eternal gates, for the King of Glory is coming, open the heavens and you heavens of heavens, receive the Lord of hosts and worship Him, crying out:
Jesus, Glory of the Father, enlighten us with the light of Your Face.
Jesus, desecration of the heavenly minds, desecration of us in the unfading days of Your Kingdom.
Jesus, who came in reality in fires and a green storm, call upon your intelligent heaven from above.
Jesus, Great and Praiseworthy in Thy Holy Mountain, proclaim Thy righteousness in heaven.
Jesus, having magnified Your mercy to the heavens, show Your glory throughout all the earth.
Jesus, who ascended into the heavens of the east, may Your Word remain in heaven forever.
Jesus, who ascended from us into heaven, do not leave us orphans.
Kontakion 6
The Preachers of the Divine Glory, the highest ranks of Angels, existing at the heights of the heavenly Dominion, the Throne, the many-reading Cherubim and the six-winged Seraphim, opening together all the heights of heaven, meeting Thee, the Lord of All, and seeing Thee Ascended in the flesh, crying out to each other in amazement: Who is this? , who came from Edom, Sovereign and Strong in battle? Who is this who came from Basor, who is of the flesh? Why are His garments scarlet, as if He wore a crown of thorns from being washed with blood? This is truly the King of Glory, the Lamb of God who was slain and risen for the salvation of the world, who now comes in the flesh to sit at the right hand of the Father, and to Him we will sing: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
You shone with Divine glory, Jesus, when you were clothed with human nature, you mercifully exalted you, you made you sit with the Father, and you deified you. In the same heavenly incorporeal order, marveling at miracles, being horrified by the horror and awe of the content, your love for mankind is great. With them we are on earth, Thy condescension for us and from us to heaven Ascension in glorification, we pray, saying:
Jesus, Thy stream of life, by Thy Ascension into heaven showed to us wanderers on earth the path of eternal life to Jerusalem on High.
Jesus, the abyss of mercy, at Your right hand of the Father, seated in our fleshly perception of God.
Jesus, taking upon Yourself our lost nature, take upon Yourself also my grave sins.
Jesus, who ascended in the Flesh to the Immaterial Father, lift up my sorrow from the depths of my drooping thoughts.
Jesus, who has ascended from the earth to the right hand of God and the Father, grant to me the right hand portion of the saved sheep.
Jesus, who has revealed the splendor of Your beauty from Zion, grant me to be a partaker of Your eternal bliss.
Jesus, who ascended from us into heaven, do not leave us orphans.
Kontakion 7
Wanting to exalt and glorify the human nature that fell in Adam, You, like the second Adam, ascended to the heights of heaven, prepared Your Throne for the ages of ages, and sat down at the right hand of God and the Father, by Your Divinity in no way separated from the Father’s bosom. Come, let us worship Jesus who became poor for our sake and has ascended to the right hand of the Father, give Him greatness, and sing from the depths of our souls: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
Thou didst reveal a new and pure life, O Lord, when Thou ascended into heaven with Thy Flesh, so that Thou mightest renew the world, aged by many sins, by Thy ascension and into heaven by Ascension, showing us clearly, as the Divine Paul says, how our life is in heaven. For this sake, let us withdraw from the vanity of the world, placing our minds in heaven, and crying out to You like this:
Jesus, with the heavenly angels, by His divinity into heaven, calling us to strive for heavenly residence.
Jesus, with man, earthly Flesh, who taught us by His departure from earth to turn away from earthly attachments.
Jesus, you who came to seek the lost sheep, lead us to heaven to your unlost sheep.
Jesus, descended to unite the scattered nature that was on earth united to the heavenly one with the Highest Father.
Jesus, who ascended into heaven in a light cloud, grant us, who are left behind on earth, to gaze evermore at the gates of heaven.
Jesus, sitting in glory on the Throne of the Divine, grant us, having opened our eyes, to understand Your miracles from the Law.
Jesus, who ascended from us into heaven, do not leave us orphans.
Kontakion 8
Strange and wondrous is Thy Resurrection, strange and terrible is Thy, Life-Giver Christ, hedgehog from the holy mountain of the Divine Ascension, incomprehensible and more than Thy mind, sitting at the right hand of the Father in the Flesh, about which David said in the spirit of the verb: “The Lord said to My Lord: sit at My right hand, until I will make Your enemies Your footstool." For this reason, all the powers of heaven, beholding Your ascension into heaven, truly submitting under Your nose, singing with the tongues of angels the Cherubic song: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
All in the Highest, Sweetest Jesus, when by the will of us for our sake you ascended with glory into heaven and sat at the right hand of God and the Father, but you were also absent from those below, you promised beforehand to remain persistently in the Church and you cried out to those who love You: “I am with you and no one else.” I remember this merciful promise of Yours and keep it in my heart, crying out to You with love:
Jesus, having received all power in heaven and on earth after Your Ascension, take us into Your eternal inheritance.
Jesus, Thy disciples, filled with all joy with the promise of the Holy Spirit, fill us with His grace by coming.
Jesus, having exalted all creation by Your Ascension, lift up my soul to sing with the Angels of Your Holiness.
Jesus, God's Word, who has established the heavens with Your Word, establish Your words in my heart, so that I will not sin against You.
Jesus, Son of the Father, having revealed all Your power from heaven by the Spirit of Your mouth, renew the Right Spirit in my womb, lest I defile myself.
Jesus, who ascended from us into heaven, do not leave us orphans.
Kontakion 9
All fallen human nature, downcast and corrupted by sins, you took into your frame, O Lord Lord, who created new by yourself, and today you raised it above all beginning and power, and you brought it to God and the Father, and you seated it with yourself on the Throne of Heaven, so that you sanctify Yes, and glorify and adore. The disembodied one, marveling, said: Who is this Red Man, but not exactly a Man, but together God and Man, to whom let us sing: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
Divine Vitias, Thy disciples, Savior, marveling at Thy glorious Ascension, I look up to heaven, sorrowfully, I ascend to Thee, and behold, two Angels appeared before them in white clothing, and recited to them as a consolation: “Men of Galileistia, why are you standing looking up to heaven? This Jesus, who ascended from you into heaven, will come in the same way, in the same way as He was seen going into heaven.” Having heard this angelic tidings of Your Second Coming, Lord, Your disciples came into joyful trembling, and with them we too joyfully sing to You like this:
Jesus, Who ascended from us in all Your glory, come quickly with Your holy angels.
Jesus, having come again to execute the judgment of justice, come with glory in the lordship of Your saints.
Jesus, great and terrible above all those around, then have mercy and protect all the meek of the earth.
Jesus, glorified in the Council of Your Saints, glorify us Yourself in Your Kingdom in heaven.
Jesus, who passed through the heavens in the Flesh, deign to lead the soul through the ordeals of the air and to see Thee outside.
Jesus, Who ascended upon the clouds of heaven, grant us the privilege to sit upon Thee on the clouds on the last day with joy and boldness.
Jesus, who ascended from us into heaven, do not leave us orphans.
Kontakion 10
To save the disciples who are with You, O Christ the Savior, and all their believing words for the sake of You, and those who followed You, You ascended into heaven, so that You prepared a place for them, as in the house of Your Father there are many abodes, as You Yourself promised to come to the passion , saying: “If I prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to Myself, so that where I am, you too will be.” For this reason, grant us, Lord, upon our mortal ascension to find a temple not made by hands, eternal in heaven, prepared not from the wood, or hay, or reeds of our carnal works, which cannot stand in fire, but from gold or silver or precious stones on Yours. foundation, where we will glorify and sing to You: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
To the Eternal King, Jesus Christ, who ascended into heaven with Your Most Pure Flesh and called us all to our heavenly Fatherland, lead us down from worldly addictions and carnal wisdom to the heavenly heights and grant us, even in the days of our flesh, with a pure testimony of conscience, to partake of heavenly life and I will take out to taste heavenly food in the sacrament of the Divine Eucharist, and from a pure heart and right spirit we will sing to You like this:
Jesus, the Great Bishop of the blessings to come, in His Ascension passed through the heavens in the Flesh and ascended not into a temple made with hands, but into heaven itself, so that you may appear before us before the Face of God.
Jesus, Heavenly Architect, who built a tabernacle not made with hands in heaven and who alone entered into the Holy of Holies to the Father with His Blood, so that He may accomplish eternal redemption.
Jesus, Immaculate Lamb of God, who alone was slain for the sins of the world, “to take away the sins of many,” lift up my sin offerings to the Throne of God.
Jesus, the Mediator of the New Testament, who alone ascended into heaven to the Father, to open the way to the Heavenly Tabernacle, accept groaning for my uncleanness.
Jesus, our Beloved Bridegroom, Who has prepared the Luminous Palace in heaven, prepare there a place for You alone to serve those who desire.
Jesus, Good Shepherd of Your sheep, who has raised the heavenly pasture into paradise for Your flock, grant us crowns, Who alone desire to follow You.
Jesus, who ascended from us into heaven, do not leave us orphans.
Kontakion 11
All-contrite singing is offered to Your Divine Ascension, the Word, Your All-Immaculate Mother, who gave birth to You. Because in Your passion, motherly, more than anyone else, I was more painful for You, for this sake, befitting You, for the glorification of Your Flesh, I enjoyed the greatest joy, and with this great joy, I descended from the Mount of Olives from the Apostles, and returned all to Jerusalem and ascended to the upper room, and beat all the Apostles , enduring with one accord in prayer, supplication and fasting with the wives and Mary the Mother of Jesus, and with His brethren, looking forward to the Descent of the Holy Spirit, praising and blessing God, and singing to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
Eternal and imperishable light rose to the whole world from the Holy Mount of Olives, where you stood on your most pure nose, O Christ the Savior, when you ascended with glory into heaven, having first passed through the heavens with the Flesh, you opened the gates of heaven, closed by the fall of Adam, and this very Path, Truth and Life, Thou hast opened the way for all flesh in the abode of Thy Heavenly Father, as Thou didst foretell to Thy disciples, saying: “From here ye shall see the heavens opened, and the Angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.” For this reason, having led Your way, for no one will come to the Father except You, I sing to You:
Jesus, who ascended to the Father on clouds of light, enlighten the extinguished lamp of my soul.
Jesus, in the lordships of Thy saints is the mountain exalted, Thy life-giving fire is ignited in my heart.
Jesus, who shone more than the Sun on the heights of heaven in Your Ascension, with the warmth of Your Spirit the coldness of my soul was kindled.
Jesus, Light from the Light of Your Divinity, shining forth to the world from the Father, enlighten us sleeping with the light of Your words in the night of sin.
Jesus, the Everlasting Light, having again at Your Coming Your coming, like lightning from the East and even to the West, Your appearance did not hit us then with the fire of Your wrath.
Jesus, who ascended from us into heaven, do not leave us orphans.
Kontakion 12
Thou didst bestow new grace, O Sweetest Jesus, for the perfection of the saints and for the building up of Thy Holy Church, when Thou ascended into heaven with Thy Most Pure Flesh, and sat down at the right hand of God and the Father, as it is written: “Thou hast gone down first into the depths of the earth for the sake of our salvation.” , Thou hast now ascended to a height above all the heavens, that thou hast fulfilled all things for the perfection of the saints, for the building up of the Body of Christ, for this sake thou hast taken captivity captive, and thou hast given gifts unto man, until we reach all things in the union of faith and knowledge of Thee, the Son of God, into a husband perfect, according to the age of Your fulfillment, so that, having improved our salvation, we will sing gratefully to You: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Singing Your free Ascension into heaven with glory, we worship Yours, Master Christ, at the right hand of God and the Father, we glorify Your reign in heaven and on earth and believe with Your Apostles, for truly, in the same way You ascended into heaven, in the same way You came to the clouds with glory and much power. Then do not disgrace us who believe in You and cry out like this:
Jesus, ever neighbor with Thy Father on the Throne of the Divine, grant that those who conquer the world with Thy help may sit with Thee in Thy Kingdom.
Jesus, worshiped with the Holy Comforter by Your Spirit, do not deprive us of that Descent in Your service according to Your promise.
Jesus, from the Cherubim and Seraphim and from the faces of the saints after Your Ascension in heaven, grant us here gathered to feel Your presence in prayer in Your Name.
Jesus, Thy holy temples, after Thy departure to heaven, gave the right in Thy to believers, help us in the temple standing in heaven to think.
Jesus, Thy Most Pure Mother and the Apostles at Thy Ascension left Himself to pray for the whole world, do not leave us without the intercession of Thy Saints.
Jesus, Church, having left Your Bride on earth after Your Ascension until the end of the century, do not deprive us of Your children of Your grace-filled gifts.
Jesus, who ascended from us into heaven, do not leave us orphans.
Kontakion 13
O Most Sweet and All-Bountiful Jesus, who ascended from us into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God the Father, having mercy and deifying our fallen nature! Look down from the heights of heaven on your weak and prostrate servants to the earth and grant us strength from above to overcome all temptations from the flesh, the world and the devil that come upon us, so that we may be wise on heaven, and not on earth. And save us from all enemies, visible and invisible, who rise against us. After the end of our earthly life, lift up our souls to the heavenly abodes, where we will sing with all the saints: Alleluia.
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Traditions of celebrating the Ascension of the Lord
Almost until the 5th century, Ascension and Pentecost were a single holiday. It was a period in the calendar called “The Most Joyful.” Pentecost later became a separate holiday.
Then the icon painters created a whole series of images where our Savior is alive again! Icon of the Ascension of Jesus Christ.
How is the great holiday celebrated?
Since the Feast of the Ascension is dedicated to the Lord, during services the clergy are dressed in white robes, symbolizing the Divine Light.
The celebration includes one day of pre-celebration and eight days of post-celebration. The day before the holiday, the rite of “giving away” Easter is held in all churches.
On the Day of the Ascension of Christ, a solemn liturgy is served, and while the bells are ringing, the part of the Gospel that is dedicated to this event is read.
The end of the holiday (lasts 10 days) occurs on the next Friday (that is, on Friday of the seventh week after Easter).
On this day, the same prayers and chants are read that were performed at the service of the Ascension of the Lord.
Listening to church hymns on this day, people feel the presence of the Lord in our world. Now humanity is not alone with death, anger, suffering, meanness.
No! God's presence is felt in everything: in the spring sun and the joyful chirping of birds, in the glow of candles near icons, in church hymns, prayers, in the smile of a person passing by and in your good deed that you are doing now or will do.
What you can and cannot do on holiday
Orthodox Resurrection is considered joyful and festive.
In the morning, housewives bake pies with onions, decorating them with a ladder - the symbolic path of Christ to heaven. In Rus', on holidays, it was customary to make special “heavenly ladders” from dough, which were taken to graves. People believed that such ladders helped the deceased get to heaven faster.
Previously, on the Ascension of the Lord, they always baked pancakes or pancakes, boiled eggs or fried eggs - for Christ “on the path.” They had to be shared with everyone.
It is customary to turn with faith to the Lord with requests for help - on this day Jesus hears the prayers of every believer.
It was noted that after the holiday warm, summer weather sets in. In the old days, people organized a real holiday - “Farewell to Spring” with songs, games, and visits. Everyone observed ancient rituals and decorated the streets and houses with grass and greenery.
What not to do:
- Do not clean the house or yard
- You cannot keep evil or bad thoughts in your soul.
If on this day you are overcome by bad or sad thoughts, you must definitely distract yourself and go to church. You should never think about something bad - your fears may come true.
By the Ascension, the sowing of grain was completed, preparations for Trinity began.
Bread ladders for the Ascension of the Lord and their symbolism
For the Ascension, bread “ladders” or “ladders” are baked from seven rungs, symbolizing the seven heavens of the apocalypse.
The flatbreads are blessed in the church and treated to relatives and friends. There was an ancient tradition - after the consecration, bread “ladders” were thrown down from the bell tower. If all the “steps” of the bread remain intact, a place in heaven has been prepared for the person who throws it. In some regions, “ladders” of bread were thrown into the sky “so that the rye would grow just as high.” The cakes were usually eaten after this, but not all of them. Several pieces were kept at home behind the icon so that none of the family would get sick.
How the Ascension is celebrated in other countries
Catholic Ascension is celebrated on May 10th. Western Christians see the significance in the fact that on this day the Savior united in holiness with the Father and the Holy Spirit. They began to celebrate this date in the 4th century.
In Catholic churches, Jesus Christ is depicted as a sculpture. Therefore, during the festive service, a ritual is performed: the statue of Christ is raised to the top of the nave.
There are many more interesting traditions that are sacredly honored and performed:
- “Three days of forgiveness” were established before the all-night vigil and the main liturgy.
- They ask God for favor.
- Housewives bake “Christ’s little shoes,” and in some countries, bird buns.
- People bring food to the temple to bless them, and also ask the Lord for good weather and an excellent harvest.
All Catholics give alms. There is a belief that on this day Christ walks the earth in the form of a beggar. Therefore, all the poor and suffering must be treated with special reverence and, to the extent possible, help them in everything. If you want to do a good deed, you should give food to the poor.
Pigeons are released in Germany. Celebrations are held everywhere in compliance with the rituals of the country where the holiday is celebrated.
Signs, conspiracies, rituals
Signs are most often associated with the harvest. Description will accept:
- If it rains on this holiday, do not expect a good harvest.
- Heavy rain, and even with a thunderstorm, means a cold summer.
- If there is a light “blind” rain, it means mushroom autumn.
- A beautiful rainbow is a favorable sign that promises well-being and prosperity to all Orthodox Christians.
- If it's dry that day, it won't rain for another six weeks.
- With wet weather, the next six weeks will be rainy.
- If there is precipitation, Ilya will experience a severe thunderstorm.
- A wish made on Ascension will certainly come true.
- It is not recommended to clean the house, otherwise you can sweep away happiness and good luck.
- If a chicken lays an egg, then it will protect the house from troubles and misfortunes.
Many signs are associated with the marriage of girls : a few days before the Ascension, girls chose young birch trees in the forest and curled several branches on them into a braid. The girl whose branches have not unraveled will certainly get married this year.
Women washed themselves with morning dew to stay young longer.
There are spells for good luck, career growth, and also for the growth of everything planted in the garden. To get a good harvest, when you go to the garden, grab a birch twig, tie it with bright ribbons, then stick it in the middle of the garden with the words:
“As a birch tree grows, so you, my crops, grow, fill with juice, know life-giving water and the sun. Exactly!"
To prevent your back from bothering you while working in the garden, touch the ground, and then say the spell three times:
“As light as Mother Earth is, as high as her strength is, so it will be easy for me with her, my body will drink in her strength. Let it be so!"
Ascension Day in Slavic culture
Among the ancient Slavs, the Ascension holiday was associated with the forces of nature and was called Ascension Day. It was associated with the peak of spring, after which time confidently turned to summer. On this holiday, our ancestors prepared to see off spring and welcome summer. Even during pagan times, Ascension Day was considered a symbol of the flowering of nature. During this period, winter rye begins to ear, and mermaids are about to roam again in the forests and fields. Mermaid Week and Green Christmastide are coming soon.
The Slavs treated the celebration of the Ascension with respect and a certain trepidation. In the evening of this day, a large fire was lit, the youth led a round dance, popularly called a “spikelet”.
Icon dedicated to the great holiday
All variants of the iconography of the Ascension represent a single composition with two centers - the Lord Jesus Christ and the Mother of God.
Icon "Ascension of the Lord"
The Savior is depicted in a circle of blue, dark blue or green - this is a symbol of the glory of God in which Christ ascended into the Kingdom of His Heavenly Father. The Lord is depicted sitting on a throne, in His left hand He holds a scroll or tablet - a symbol of the Gospel, and with His right hand He blesses.
Ascension of the Lord. Russia. Moscow. Armouries. XVII century Russia. Moscow. Moscow Kremlin. Ascension Monastery
On the sides of the circle of glory are depicted two angels who support it and ascend together with the Lord.
Andrey Rublev and Daniil Cherny. Ascension of the Lord. Trinity Cathedral of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. Festive rite. 1420s
What to pray for in front of the Ascension of the Lord icon? Christ is our protection and our salvation. Ask the Lord for help in strengthening your spiritual strength, to help you correctly set your life priorities between the physical and the spiritual.
Question answer
Many parents ask what does it mean to be born on Ascension? The priests answer that there is no need to invent anything special. As usual, the child must be baptized when the time comes. Children born on major holidays are distinguished by excellent health, a bright mind, and throughout their lives they should carry goodness and purity.
Many believers are interested in what prayers to read from Easter to Ascension. During these 40 days, from April 8 to May 17, you need to read.
On Bright Week - the 1st week after Easter, they do not read morning and evening prayers, but read the Easter Hours, which are in most prayer books.
If you are preparing for communion, then instead of the penitential canon to the Lord and the canon to the Most Holy Theotokos, the canon of Easter and the Follow-up to Holy Communion are read.
All prayers must be preceded by reading the Easter troparion three times:
“Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and giving life to those in the tombs.”
Psalms and prayers, starting with the Trisagion (“Holy God…”) through “Our Father…”, as well as troparia after it, are not read at this time.
What cannot be done on the Ascension of the Lord?
The Feast of the Ascension is associated with a number of prohibitions that believers should adhere to.
- On the Ascension of the Lord, heavy physical labor is prohibited : work in the garden, repairs are best postponed until tomorrow.
- You cannot do cleaning, laundry, sewing or handicrafts.
- It is strictly forbidden to swear and sort things out.
- I don’t care, you can’t throw trash on the street on the Ascension Day either. It is believed that Christ circles the Earth for the last time before ascending to heaven.
- You cannot perform a funeral service or serve a memorial service for the deceased.
- Also, on Ascension it is prohibited to get married and conduct marriage ceremonies.
