Principal Feasts and Holy DaysAscension Day - Principal FeastThursday, 17 May 2012Sung Eucharist at 7:30 p.m.Background The Ascension is one of the great feasts in the Christian liturgical calendar. It is officially celebrated on a Thursday, the fortieth day after Easter Day. The Christian doctrine of the Ascension holds that Jesus ascended to heaven in the presence of his Eleven Apostles following his resurrection, and that in heaven he sits at the right hand of God the Father. The observance of this feast is of great antiquity. Although there is no documentary evidence of it existence prior to the beginning of the fifth century, St Augustine wrote that it was of Apostolic origin, and indicated it was the universal observance of the Church long before his time. Almighty God, whose blessed Son our Saviour Jesus Christ
ascended far above all heavens that he might fill all things:
Mercifully give us faith to perceive that, according to his
promise, he abides with his Church on earth, even to the end
of the ages; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory
everlasting. Amen |
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