This page is about the Ascension of Jesus. For other meanings see Ascension (disambiguation).

The Christian

Biblical Accounts

The first account of the Ascension found in the Christian Bible is in the Gospel of Mark (16:14-19). The description is brief. Jesus and the remaining eleven Disciples 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 the fact that it happened.

The Gospel of Luke is even more brief in its description (24:50-51). Jesus led the eleven to Bethany, not far from Jerusalem. While in the act of blessing them, Jesus was carried up to Heaven.

In both Mark and Luke, the Ascension takes place immediately after the Resurrection of Jesus.

The third account of the

The Gospel of Matthew ends at a mountain in Galilee, with Jesus commanding the Disciples to spread the Gospel. No mention of the Ascension is made.

There are no extra-Biblical accounts of the Ascension.

Feast

The Ascension is one of the great feasts in the Christian liturgical calendar, and commemorates the bodily Ascension of Jesus into Heaven. In the Eastern Orthodox Church the Ascension is one of twelve Great Feasts. Ascension Day is always Thursday (the fortieth day from Easter); in some churches (especially in the United States) it is commemorated on the subsequent Sunday (the Sunday before Pentecost). The three days before Ascension Thursday are sometimes referred to as the Rogation days (and the previous Sunday, the Fifth Sunday after Easter, as Rogation Sunday).

In some countries (e.g. Scandinavia or Germany) it is a public holiday; Germany also holds its Father's Day on the same date.

In Western Christianity, the earliest possible date is April 27, the latest possible date is June 3.

Superstitions

• According to Welsh superstition, it is unlucky to do any work on Ascension Day.
• In Devon, it was an ancient belief that the clouds always formed into the familiar Christian image of a lamb.
• If the weather is sunny, the summer will be long and hot; but if it rains, crops will do badly and livestock, especially cattle, will suffer from disease.
• Eggs laid on this day will never go bad and will guarantee good luck for a household if placed in the roof.
• Rain collected on Ascension Day is said to be good for inflamed or diseased eyes.
• Those suffering from goitre should bite into the bark of a peach tree at midnight on Ascension Day, so that the disease passes to the tree and the sufferer is cured.
• Gifts to the blind or lame made on this day are sure to be rewarded with great wealth within the following twelve months. Kristi himmelfartsdag

Himmelfahrt Ascension (événement) אסנסיון (חג) Hemelvaartsdag 昇天祭 Kristi Himmelfartsdag Wniebowstąpienie Helatorstai Kristi himmelsfärds dag