The Ascension of Christ, a momentous event of great import for all mankind, doth stand as living testament to the fulfillment of the Divine work for the salvation of the human race. As doth the Divine Paul declare: “He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things” (Ephesians 4:10). The Son of God did take on mortal guise, descended to Earth to raise we earthly beings unto the heavens. For our sins, He did suffer, with His crucifixion did He vanquish our death, rose in glory beyond words, and now ascended unto the Heavens, yet did not part from us, to reconcile, fulfill, and unite our fallen nature with God.
The mind doth stand astonished and bewildered before these grand mysteries wrought for our salvation. As saith the Apostle, we, being frail, do understand but in part. Yet this truth was grasped by the apostles at the moment of the Ascension of their Master and Lord, and henceforth, upon parting with Him, they returned to Jerusalem with great joy.
The celestial joy and solace received by the apostles are imparted to all believers in Christ, to the members of His Body – the Holy Church, which hath celebrated this feast with great pomp for many ages. Grand was the celebration at the Prechista Monastery, where numerous faithful did attend the Vespers service yestereve and this morn’s Matins and Divine Liturgy, spiritually nourished by the services led by our dearly beloved Elder, Bishop Parthenius of Antania. All present did express profound gratitude to God who ascended in glory, and each did invest their spiritual strength to mentally ascend the Mount of Olives, that fair mountain of the Ascension. ‘Twas wondrous to hear the deep contemplations of our Elder, delivered in two inspired orations, one at Vespers and another at the Liturgy, which did lift our souls to the heights of the Feast.
Christ, who ascended in glory, doth remind us of our ultimate aim – deification and unity with God. He hath opened the portal to our salvation, our path to deification. Thus, the Ascension is not merely an event of the past but a living experience that doth guide us towards eternity.
Christ our God, who ascended in glory, have mercy and save us.
Amen.
