Ascension Day is a Christian holiday that commemorates the bodily ascension of Jesus Christ into Heaven. It is celebrated on the 40th day of Easter, which falls on a Thursday, marking the end of the 40-day period after Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Sunday. According to Christian belief and biblical accounts, after Jesus rose from the dead, he appeared to his disciples for 40 days, teaching them, and then ascended to Heaven in their presence, symbolizing his return to God the Father. The event is described in the Gospels, particularly the accounts of Mark and Luke, where Jesus is taken up into Heaven from the Mount of Olives near Bethany. It signifies both the glorification of Jesus and the beginning of the Church’s mission on Earth. The day is considered a solemn feast in Christianity and is celebrated with church services, prayers, and various traditions depending on the country and denomination. In some countries like France, Germany, and others, Ascension Day is a public holiday, often observed on the traditional Thursday. In other places, especially in some Catholic regions, the celebration has been moved to the following Sunday to avoid a non-working day. Ascension Day also leads into Ascensiontide, a 10-day period culminating with Pentecost, which celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles. In 2025, Ascension Day falls on Thursday, May 29. In summary, Ascension Day is the Christian celebration of Jesus Christ's ascent to Heaven on the 40th day after Easter, marking a key event in Christian theology regarding Jesus' glorification and the promise of his return.
