When is the Ascension of the Lord in 2024: has the date of celebration, history and traditions changed?
The Feast of the Ascension of the Lord symbolizes the event when Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven in front of his disciples, the apostles. SSPDaily tells about it.
As you know, on September 1, 2023, the OCU and the UGCC switched to the New Julian calendar. Therefore, most holidays now have new dates - 13 days earlier. Does this apply to the Resurrection of the Lord?
Ascension of the Lord in 2024: date
The date of the celebration of the Ascension of the Lord is tied to Easter - believers celebrate it on the 40th day after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Since the change of calendar did not affect Easter in any way, we will celebrate the Ascension in the same way.
In 2024, Christians of the Eastern Rite in Ukraine celebrate Easter on May 5, and the Western Rite on March 31. Therefore, accordingly, we will celebrate the Ascension of the Lord on June 13 (May 9).
What does the Ascension of the Lord mean?
According to the Bible, after his Resurrection, Jesus Christ stayed on earth for 40 days among the apostles, telling them about the Kingdom of God. After that, he gathered his disciples near Jerusalem on Mount Eleon, blessed them, and ascended into Heaven.
Later, two angels appeared to the apostles and told them the good news that Christ would return in the future. He will come to earth to judge the living and the dead.
Today, pilgrims from all over the world travel to Jerusalem to climb Mount Eleon. There, in a monastery, you can see the footprint of Jesus that He left when He ascended to Heaven. On this day, festive services are held in churches, during which believers pray for the salvation of the soul.
How to greet the Ascension of the Lord
As you know, on some major holidays, believers greet each other in a special way. So at Christmas, we say "Christ is born" and respond with "Glory to Him." At Easter, we greet each other with "Christ is Risen!" and respond with "He is truly risen!" But on the Ascension of the Lord, believers return to the usual greeting "Glory to Jesus Christ!" to which they should respond "Glory forever!".
Prayer for the Ascension for Jesus to protect the soldiers who defend the Motherland
Most merciful Lord, great and blessed, we turn to You this day with a prayer for peace and protection from harm. Your Ascension reminds us of Your great power and authority.
We pray to You, O Lord, to grant peace and victory to our country. Establish the hearts of people in love, mercy and justice. Help us to overcome this dark time and keep our hearts pure.
We ask You, O Lord, to save us from trouble, misfortune and suffering. Let Your mercy and grace cover us and our land, and under Your protection we will be steadfast in the face of all kinds of temptations and dangers.
Grant us wisdom and strength to resist evil and spread Your love and peace. May our actions be filled with Your light, so that we may become a source of hope and comfort to others. Bless our soldiers, who daily guard the freedom and security of our country. May Your angels, Lord, guard them and Your blessing be with them.
We ask You for an end to the war, for the victory of our country and peace. Grant us grace, O God. Accept our prayer, O merciful Lord, and let our requests be heard. May Your Ascension fill our hearts with faith, hope, and love, and may peace and protection be with us all the days of our lives. In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
