Eastern-Rite Christians Celebrate Feast of the Ascension on June 13

The Feast of the Ascension is one of the twelve major feasts of the church year and is directly connected with the holiday of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated on the fortieth day after Easter.

According to the text of the New Testament, Ascension Day is the day when Jesus Christ ascended into heaven and was seated “at the right hand of the Father.” Jesus Christ appeared to his disciples in Jerusalem and told them to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit. He went with his disciples to the Mount of Olives where he blessed them for the last time and ascended into heaven.

In the Bible it states that Jesus said to his disciples: “Peace be with you” and then gave them the final instructions: "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things whatever I have commanded you: and, see, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”