Iconic Icons: The Ascension
Ascension Icon by Andrei Rublev (late 14th - early 15th century). The Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ is traditionally celebrated, following the detail of Acts 1:3, on the Thursday 40 days after Pascha (Easter), which was last Thursday, though most Latin Rite dioceses (at least in the U.S., if not in other countries as well) transfer the celebration of this feast to the next Sunday, which is today. In Greek, this feast is called 'Η Αναληψις : analepsis means a "taking up," although the term is used in narrative analysis (of films, novels, and other works) to indicate a flashback. The events of this feast are outlined in Mark, Luke, and Acts: "So then the Lord Jesus, after He had spoken to them, was taken up into Heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God" (Mk 16:19). "Then He led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up His hands He blessed them. While He blessed them, He parted from them, and was carried up into Heaven" (...
