The Ascension of Jesus Christ is described in detail in his gospel by the Apostle Luke. The narrative of this historical event can also be found in the gospels of Mark and Matthew.
The Ascension of Jesus Christ occurred after the last appearance of the resurrected Savior to his disciples. Scripture tells us that Christ, with his apostles, came out of Jerusalem and went to Bethany to the side of the Mount of Olives. It was from the Mount of Olives that the ascension of Christ took place.
Before the Lord ascended into heaven, He raised his hands and blessed his disciples. Christ gave the commandment to the apostles to baptize nations in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and also to teach everything that the Savior commanded. After that, Jesus Christ began to ascend to heaven. At the same time, the apostles saw angels coming down from heaven who accompanied Christ. When Jesus had already disappeared from the sight of the disciples, the angels turned to the apostles with the words that Christ would come back into the world for the second time in the same manner in which the disciples led Christ ascending to heaven.
After the event of the ascension of Christ, the apostles were in Jerusalem and were waiting for the coming of the Holy Spirit promised by Christ.
At present, on the Mount of Olives (at the site of Christ's ascension) there is an imprint of the foot of man. The Orthodox believe that this is a footprint of the Lord Himself. The place of ascension is still revered by Orthodox pilgrims.
The Ascension Day is celebrated on the fortieth day after Easter. So, in 2014 this event was celebrated on May 29, and in 2015, the Ascension of Christ will be celebrated on May 21.
