“Christ our God, You ascended in glory and You gladdened Your disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit. Your blessing assured them that You are the Son of God and the Redeemer of the world!” (Dismissal Hymn)
On the Thursday of the Sixth week after Pascha, we in the Orthodox Faith celebrate the Great Feast of the Ascension of our Lord and God. The Feast marks the end of Christ’s post resurrection appearances, for it signifies the enthronement of Jesus Christ as our Lord who exercises sovereignty over all things.
The Ascension speaks to us of the glorification (theosis) of human nature in the risen Christ and anticipates the gift of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. For it says Jesus came to earth and lived among us without being separated from the bosom of the Father. Christ ascended in glory from the Mount of Olives and enthroned together with the Father, sending us the Holy Spirit so that we may praise and glorify Your divinity!
May the Great Joy and amazement of this event show us the glorification of human nature in the risen Christ in Anticipation of the gift of the Holy Spirit!
