The Ascension of Christ into Heaven - June 13

On the fortieth day after His Resurrection, Christ ascended into Heaven from the Mount of Olives. Although His disciples did not see Him rising from the grave, they saw Him alive afterwards on several occasions which fully proved His triumph over death and that He was really the Son of God.

The Apostles saw Christ ascending into Heaven, after He gave them His last command on earth to "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation" (Mark 16 : 15). Having given the mission to the disciples, Jesus slow­ly ascended into Heaven to take His place at the right hand of God the Father. While the disciples looked towards the Heavens, two Angels in white robes ap­peared to them saying: "You, men of Galilee, why stand you gazing up into Heaven? This same Jesus, Who is taken up from you into Heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen Him go into Heaven" (Acts 1:11).

The message that the Lord now sent to the Apostles was about Christ's return to this world, suddenly, as He had left it, to judge the world. Those who have done good will be rewarded, but those who have done evil will be con­demned and punished. We should, therefore, constantly examine our lives to be ready at any time to appear before Christ as faithful and worthy servants of God! It will be sad if we neglect the work of preparation for Heaven! Let us then not be taken by surprise: let us say our daily Prayers, let us attend Church Services regularly, and confess our sins as often as we can, let us strive for peace in our families, in our Churches and the communities we live in.

The Feast of Ascension is observed forty days after Easter and always falls on Thursday.