Memories of Ascension Day and the end of the Easter celebrations
Ahead of Ascension Day tomorrow, we're looking back at the key date in the Christian calendar and how we've marked it over the years.
Rachel Cooper and her daughter Sally celebrate Ascension Day at Low Furness Primary School (Image: Newsquest) Also known as the Feast of the Ascension, the day is celebrated on the 40th day of Easter, or the sixth Thursday after Easter. This was the last day Christ was seen by his followers before ascending to heaven.
Vicar of St Cuthbert's Church Keith Teasdale visits James Rennie School in Carlisle to mark Ascension Day (Image: Newsquest) Ascension Day is one of the Catholic Church's six Holy Days of Obligation, when the congregation is expected to attend mass.
Low Furness pupil Daniel Higginson launches his kite on Ascension Day (Image: Newsquest) Since it can be difficult for some people to attend church on a Thursday, some churches have sought permission from the pope to observe Ascension Day mass on the following Sunday.
Margaret Baxter, secretary of the Hound Trailing Association from Blencow, with Butch (Ascension Day), Bella (Halloween) and Rascal (Toshiba) (Image: Newsquest) According to the Bible, after his crucifixion on Good Friday, Jesus was resurrected from the dead on the third day, the date we now call Easter Sunday. After Jesus was crucified, all his followers plunged into utter grief and despair. After two days, Mary Magdalene, a faithful follower of Jesus Christ, informed everyone that Christ had risen from the dead and appeared before her.
The choir of St John's College, Cambridge, sing from the roof of the chapel tower to celebrate Ascension Day (Image: Newsquest) Initially, they didn't believe her. However, their faith was restored when they saw him themselves.
Forty reception children celebrated the resurrection at St James' Church as part of an Experience Easter event (Image: Newsquest) For 40 days after his resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples a number of times, teaching them how to spread the word of God and convert people to Christianity. At the end of the fortieth day, on the Mount of Olives, Jesus spoke to his disciples, telling them to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit, and then he ascended into heaven.
Filipino self-taught artist Ronald Bautista works on his version of the Passion of Jesus Christ (Image: Newsquest)
Ascension Day is not a sad occurrence among Christians but is considered a joyous occasion. The celebration is believed to be one of the oldest in the Christian faith. Some records state that it was observed as early as the 4th century, although it is thought that the Ascension was celebrated with Easter or Pentecost around that time.
Just 48 per cent of people questioned by Reader's Digest in 2005 could explain the resurrection, while 64 per cent had no idea who Dr Rowan Williams was (Image: Newsquest) At some point, a decree was made to declare that each of these holy days should be observed in its own time, thus Ascension Day was moved to be commemorated 40 days after Easter, and Pentecost was to be observed 50 days after Easter.
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