Ascension

Ascension
by Stephanie Salfiti (May ’01)

Ascension is defined, according to the Orthodox Study Bible, as the ascent of Christ to Heaven 40 days following his Resurrection as Son of God and flesh. This completes the union of God and humanity. The Ascension of Christ is mentioned in the Creed. It states "And He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate and suffered and was buried. And He ascended into Heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of the Father." The date of this feast day varies each year and depends on the day which Pascha is celebrated.

In Byzantine iconography, the Theotokos is in the middle of the foreground with her hands raised in prayer. Behind her on both sides are angels dressed in white garments, holding staves in their right hands, and with their left hands pointing  to Christ. In certain icons, the angels are holding scrolls. One angel has "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven?" The other scroll states "This same Jesus, Who is taken up from you into heaven, shall come again in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11). Christ ascended by the Mount of      Olivet, and holy tradition teaches us that He will return in the same way. This serves as a reminder that “Christ will come again to judge the living and the dead” (Orthodox Creed). Next to the angels are the Apostles with Paul and Peter closest to the Theotokos; Paul is on her right side and Peter is on her left. Saint Paul has his right hand in front of his eyes. Recall that Paul was not one of the disciples when Jesus ascended into heaven, but became one afterwards after being blinded on his way to Damascus. St. Paul was a “chosen vessel to bear His name before the Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15). Behind the Theotokos, angels, and Apostles is a mountain with olive trees, and above the mountain is Christ in a circular glory. Christ is seated on a rainbow and around Christ are angels touching the glory. The iconography of the Ascension of Christ has a long history, dating to the sixth century. A miniature Ascension icon has been dated back to 586 A.D. .

Even though it must have been sad for the Apostles and those who were there to see Christ leave them, it was good for them. For Christ told them, “If I do not go away, the Comforter will not come to you, but if I depart, I will send Him unto you” (John 16). Moreover, when Christ ascended to heaven with His risen human body, He made way for all of us by bringing humanity to heaven. This teaches us a lesson in life, too. Sometimes when things seem sad and it looks like hope is floating away (as Christ seemed to be floating away), we need to put our faith and trust in God because He has good things in store for us — be it in this life or in the next.