Ascension Day

The ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven

Today we celebrate Ascension Day.

Ascension Day celebrates Jesus ascension to heaven after he was resurrected on Easter Day.

On Good Friday, Jesus died on the cross. On Easter Sunday, he came back to life. During the forty days which followed that first Easter, he kept appearing to his followers. Ascension Day marks the last appearance of Jesus to the disciples after his resurrection at Easter.

The name ‘ascension’ comes from the accounts in the Bible in Mark’s Gospel and Luke’s Gospel that tell of Jesus being taken up into heaven – he ascended. Jesus told his disciples that he would always be with them, and promised them the gift of the Holy Spirit (at Pentecost). At Ascension, Christians celebrate the kingship of Jesus.

Ascension Day is the 40th day after Easter Sunday and always falls on a Thursday (hence its other name Holy Thursday). It marks the end of Rogationtide.

2009 – 21 May
2010 – 13 May
2011 – 2 June
2012 – 17 May
2013 – 9 May
2014 – 29 May
2015 – 14 May
2016 – 5 May
2017 – 25 May
2018 – 10 May
2019 – 30 May
2020 – 21 May

Ten days after Ascension Day is Pentecost which marks the coming of the Holy Spirit to the disciples.

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