Search results
Catholic health systems
- Ascension is one of the nation’s leading non-profit and Catholic health systems, with a Mission of delivering compassionate, personalized care to all with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable.
about.ascension.org › about-us
Ascension is one of the nation’s leading non-profit and Catholic health systems, with a Mission of delivering compassionate, personalized care to all with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable.
- History & Sponsorship
2018: Presence Health joins Ascension Today: Ascension, one...
- Leadership
Experienced, compassionate leaders dedicated to Ascension’s...
- About
Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization dedicated...
- Community Impact
We actively seek to identify and respond to community needs,...
- History & Sponsorship
People also ask
What is the meaning of Ascension?
What is Ascension Day?
What does Ascension do?
Why does the Ascension matter?
- Overview
- Scripture and observances
- Art
Ascension, in Christian belief, the ascent of Jesus Christ into heaven on the 40th day after his Resurrection (Easter being reckoned as the first day). The Feast of the Ascension ranks with Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost in the universality of its observance among Christians. The feast has been celebrated 40 days after Easter in both Eastern and Western Christianity since the 4th century. Prior to that time, the Ascension was commemorated as a part of the celebration of the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
The meaning of the Ascension for Christians is derived from their belief in the glorification and exaltation of Jesus following his death and Resurrection, as well as from the theme of his return to God the Father. Thus, the Gospel According to John uses both the sayings of Jesus and his post-Resurrection appearances to indicate a new relationship between Jesus and his Father and between him and his followers, rather than a simple physical relocation from earth to heaven.
Britannica Quiz
Pop Quiz: 19 Things to Know About Christianity
According to the first chapter of The Acts of the Apostles, after appearing to the Apostles on various occasions during a period of 40 days, Jesus was taken up in their presence and was then hidden from them by a cloud, a frequent biblical image signifying the presence of God. Although belief in the Ascension is apparent in other books of the New Testament, the emphasis and the imagery differ. In the Gospel According to John, the glorification described by the Ascension story seems to have taken place immediately after the Resurrection. The imagery of the account in the Gospel According to Luke is similar to that of Acts, but there is no mention of a period of 40 days. The Ascension of Jesus is mentioned in the Apostles’ Creed, a profession of faith used for baptism in the early church.
A distinctive feature of the feast’s liturgy in the Western churches is the extinguishing of the Paschal candle, first lit on Easter, after the Gospel has been read, as a symbol of Christ’s leaving the earth. Despite the idea of separation indicated in this act, which might be expected to set a note of sadness, the whole liturgy of Ascensiontide, through the 10 days to Pentecost, is marked by joy in the final triumph of the risen Lord. One of the central themes of the feast is the kingship of Christ, and the theological implication is that the Ascension was the final redemptive act conferring participation in the divine life on all who are members of Christ. In other words, Christ “was lifted up into heaven so that he might make us partakers of his Godhead.”
In Christian art the Ascension is an old theme, appearing since the 5th century. The earliest version of the Ascension, which persisted in the West until the 11th century, shows Christ from the side, climbing to the top of the hill and grasping the hand of God, which emerges from a cloud above to pull him into heaven. The Apostles, assembled below, watch the event.
Exclusive academic rate for students! Save 67% on Britannica Premium.
Learn More
In the 6th century a different version of the Ascension was developed in Syria and was later adopted in Byzantine art. This version emphasizes Christ’s divinity, showing him frontally, standing immobile in a mandorla, or almond-shaped aureole, elevated above the earth and supported by angels. He holds a scroll and makes a gesture of benediction. A curious detail of this version is the regular inclusion of the Virgin Mary, who is not mentioned in the biblical account of the event, and St. Paul, who, on historical grounds, was not present. The inclusion of these figures has not been adequately explained, but they may represent, with the figure of St. Peter, an allegory of the church that Christ leaves behind. This type of Ascension, which follows the Roman tradition of representing the apotheosis of an emperor, often figured prominently in the monumental decoration of Byzantine churches as the emblem of one of the principal church feast days.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
May 9, 2024 · Ascension Day is the fortieth day of the Easter season, held 39 days after Easter Sunday, which effectively means it always falls on a Thursday. In 2024, that means it is Thursday 9 May in the western tradition, but Thursday 13 June in the eastern tradition.
- Neil Rees
May 30, 2019 · Justin Dillehay explains what Christ’s ascension accomplished and why it’s so important for our redemption, his priestly work, and his second coming. It may be the most important doctrine you never think about.
May 3, 2024 · The Christian holiday of Ascension Day, also known as the Feast of the Ascension, celebrates the Ascension of Jesus into Heaven. Discover the biblical meaning and traditions of the Christian holiday.
Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization dedicated to transformation through innovation across the continuum of care. Our care teams are here to empower you and your family by listening, respecting your experiences, and creating a care plan that works for you.
Definition. The ascension is a discrete element in the career of Christ the mediator. It marks his entry into supreme authority over the creation. Summary. The ascension marks the departure of Jesus from interaction with his disciples in this world and his entrance into the realm of God.