The Orthodox Christians celebrate the Ascension of Jesus on May 21. Priest Eugen Onicov, of the Chisinau Church “Saint Pantelimon”, has told IPN that on this day the Christians greet each other “Christ has ascended” and the answer is “He has ascended indeed”.
The feast is celebrated 40 days after Jesus’ Resurrection. Priest Eugen Onicov said the Ascension symbolizes the connection between heaven and earth through the ascent to heaven with the body, after Jesus received a body and descended to earth.
The priest said they traditionally cook special cakes and paint eggs red for Ascension because this feast is as important as Easter. In some villages, “Christ has ascended” is said only on Ascension, in others – during three days or ten days, until the Descent of the Holy Spirit.
