Introduction
Celebrated on Thursday, forty days after the resurrection (Easter Sunday), the feast of Ascension remembers that, after appearing several times to the disciples, Jesus was taken from their view and entered the realm of God. The observance of this feast is very old, at least the beginning of the fifth century, but probably older. In the Eastern Church, this feast is also known as the episozomene, the salvation, denoting that by ascending into his glory, Christ completed the work of our redemption.
Symbols, Colours, Music, Images, Ritual Actions, Miscellaneous Ideas
Extinction of the Paschal candle, if one is still being kept lit.
Triumphal processions with torches and banners outside the church.
English custom: carrying at the head of the procession a banner bearing the device of a lion and at the foot the banner of the dragon, to symbolize the triumph of Christ in his ascension over the evil one.
Liturgical theme: the pledge of our glorification with Christ, plus his entry into heaven with our human nature glorified.
Texts, Prayers, Readings
For Lectionary texts consult your lectionary or www.textweek.com