Christ's ascent into heaven on the fortieth day after Pascha, one of the twelve great feasts.
Dates
| Year | Dates | Reckoning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | May 29, 2025 | ||
| 2026 | May 21, 2026 |
Recurrence: Orthodox Pascha computus (the 40th day from Pascha).
Significance
The Orthodox Ascension celebrates Christ's ascent into heaven forty days after Pascha, in the sight of his disciples. It is one of the twelve great feasts of the Orthodox year. The feast completes the earthly ministry of Christ and prepares for the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
Observance
The Divine Liturgy is celebrated with the festal hymns of the Ascension, and the Paschal greeting is exchanged for the last time until the feast.