Ascension Thursday

The Feast of the Ascension is one of the Church's great feasts. It commemorates the bodily Ascension of Jesus into heaven. It's celebrated on a Thursday which is the fortieth day from Easter.

Though there is no documentary evidence of the feast being celebrated prior to the 5th century, St. Augustine of Hippo, who was born in the 4th century, assures us that the feast is not only of Apostolic origin but also universally recognized by all ancient Christians. Sts John Chrysostom and Gregory of Nyssa and the Constitution of the Apostles all support this contention.