Ascension Day

Ascension History

The Observance of Ascension, or Ascension Day, is a Christian holy day that commemorates the bodily ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven. This event serves as a celebration of Jesus' resurrection and exaltation to the right hand of God the Father. Christians in the European Union mark this day with various customs, liturgical observances, and forms of worship to honor this event in the life of Jesus and his followers.

Ascension Day has been observed since the early days of Christianity, with some accounts tracing its history back to the late 4th century. This day underscores core Christian beliefs, such as the divinity of Jesus, his victory over death, and his continuing presence among believers through the Holy Spirit.

In the European Union, the Observance of Ascension typically falls on the 40th day of Easter, which is always a Thursday. Ascension Day remains a meaningful occasion for Christians to remember and rejoice in the promises fulfilled through Jesus Christ’s ascension to heaven.

Ascension Day facts

• The Apostle's Creed, one of the statements of faith in the Christian Church, mentions Jesus' ascension:

  I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth;
  And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord,
  who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,
  suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried.
  The third day he rose from the dead.
  He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.

• Ascension is the 40th day after Easter, celebrated on the sixth Sunday of the Easter season in Protestant churches and on the 40th day after Easter in Roman Catholic churches. It commemorates the day that Jesus ascended into heaven (Acts 1:1-11) after spending 40 days appearing to his disciples after his resurrection.
• Ascension Day was originally celebrated as part of the Pentecost season, but it was later separated into its own holiday.
• In some European countries, such as Spain and Portugal, Ascension Day is also known as the Festival of the Joys or Festival of the Bells, as church bells are rung to signify the ascension of Jesus into heaven.

In the News and Trending in the EU for Ascension Day

Top things to do in the EU for Ascension

• Go bird watching. A custom in Sweden, is to get up early in the morning of Ascension and venture out into the woods to listen for the call of a cuckoo. It is considered good luck to hear one on this holiday.
• Go to church and learn about why Jesus' ascension is important to the Christian faith. Jesus is considered to be both human and divine, and the ascension is an illustration of Christ's divine nature.
• Host or attend an Ascension Picnic: In some European countries like Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, people often organize picnics and outdoor events to celebrate Ascension Day, which also coincides with Father's Day in these countries.
• Exploring religious art: Many museums and galleries across Europe house famous art pieces depicting the Ascension, such as the Ascension of Christ by Rembrandt at the Alte Pinakothek in Munich, Germany, or the Ascension by Titian at the Church of San Salvador in Venice, Italy.