Christians celebrate the Ascension

Forty days after Easter, the Orthodox Christians observe the Ascension. As on the Resurrection, the feast table will include today painted eggs and Easter bread. Priest Eugen Onikov, of Saint Panthelemon Church, has told Info-Prim Neo that the Ascension is one of the chief feasts of the Christian year. Forty days after the Resurrection, Jesus was taken up to heaven in his resurrected body, in the presence of eleven of his Apostles. “On the Resurrection Day, Jesus told his Apostles that the Holy Spirit will descend in ten days, on Great Sunday. He was raised to heaven in a cloud of light,” said the priest. The Ascension is the final component of the paschal mystery, which consists also of Jesus' Passion, Crucifixion, Death, Burial, Descent Among the Dead, and Resurrection. Along with the Resurrection, the Ascension functioned as a proof of Jesus' claim that he was the Messiah. The Christians greet each other with “Christ is Risen” and the response is “He is Risen Indeed”. In some settlements, such a greeting is used during one day, while in others during three or even ten days. “The faithful on the Ascension should come to church to attend the service and pray. They must be benevolent and share the joy of the feast with everyone,” said priest Eugen Onikov. This year, the Orthodox Christians celebrated Easter on April 24.