21/05/2026
Sermon: The Feast of the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ
Elevating Human Nature into Eternal Glory
1. Introduction: The Feast of Mystical Joy
Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, today our Church gathers in oneness of heart to celebrate one of the greatest and most significant feasts of the liturgical year: "The Feast of the Ascension of our Lord," which stands as one of the Twelve Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church.
If we look back at the history of salvation, following His Resurrection from the dead on Pascha (Easter), Jesus Christ did not immediately ascend to heaven. Instead, He chose to remain on this earth for forty days. Why did He do this? It was to appear to His holy apostles and disciples time and again. He ate and drank with them, and allowed them to touch His wounds, providing undeniable proof that He had truly risen—not as a mere phantom or a spirit.
At the fulfillment of these forty days of preparation, He led His disciples out to the Mount of Olives. While He was blessing them, He began to ascend into heaven before their very eyes, and a cloud received Him out of their sight (Acts 1:1–12).
In the eyes of the world, parting with a loved one brings nothing but sorrow, tears, and loneliness. But for us Orthodox Christians, this event is quite the opposite. It is not a bleak or tragic farewell. St. John Chrysostom, a great Father and Doctor of the Church, explains this holy mystery beautifully:
"Today, humanity is completely reconciled with God. Today, the ancient enmity caused by sin has come to an end, and a peace that surpasses all understanding has been granted to us."
The Ascension, therefore, is not Christ abandoning this world to leave us to our fate. Rather, it is the opening of the gates of an endless Kingdom and the declaration that His earthly mission is fully accomplished.
2. Theological Meaning: Orthodoxy and Patristic Tradition
To comprehend why this event is so wondrous, we must gaze through the profound theological lens of the Holy Fathers. This can be distilled into three key aspects:
First, Christ is the Eternal High Priest: In the Old Testament, earthly priests had to enter the Holy of Holies in the temple once a year, offering the blood of animals to atone for the sins of the people—a mere earthly shadow of things to come. But today, Christ, the true High Priest, does not enter a sanctuary made by human hands. He enters the heavenly sanctuary, offering His very own "Body and Blood" (Hebrews 8–9). He sits at the right hand of the Father, interceding and mediating on our behalf without ceasing.
Second, The Elevation of Human Nature: This is the absolute core of our Orthodox faith and its most breathtaking truth. Let us listen closely: Jesus Christ did not ascend into heaven merely as a formless, spiritual God. He ascended with His "glorified human flesh." He took our flesh, our humanity—the very same nature we possess—and seated it upon the highest throne with the Father. St. Athanasius the Great famously stated this golden truth:
"God became man so that man might become god (by grace)."
In the Orthodox tradition, this process is called Theosis (Deification)—our participation in the divine nature. When Christ carried human flesh into heaven, our human nature—which had fallen in sin, become stained, mortal, and severed from God in the Garden of Eden—was cleansed, deified, and exalted into the highest splendor, reunited with the Creator once more.
Third, Joy Replaces Sorrow: The Gospel of Luke (24:52) records a striking detail: after Jesus ascended, the disciples returned from the Mount of Olives "with great joy." They did not weep or mourn. Why? Because they understood through divine wisdom that Christ had promised to send "The Comforter" (The Paraclete), the Holy Spirit, on the day of Pentecost.
They knew that through the Holy Spirit, Christ would dwell among them in a way far deeper than before. In the days of His earthly ministry, if He was in Jerusalem, those in other towns could not see Him. But now, having ascended into glory, He can dwell within the hearts of all Christians, everywhere, across all generations, simultaneously.
3. Spiritual Reflections: Hope and Sharing in the Divine Glory
How does this profound theology transform our daily Christian life?
We find hope in our true home: Christ foretold, "I go to prepare a place for you" (John 14:3). This feast serves as a continuous reminder that this world is not our permanent home; we are merely pilgrims on a journey. The gaze and the heart of an Orthodox Christian must always be fixed on heaven. As St. Gregory of Nyssa wrote: "He who ascended into heaven has opened the way for us to follow in His footsteps, so that we may know that the ultimate goal of our life is above."
We are called to be witnesses of Christ: Before His Ascension, He gave the Great Commission: "You shall be witnesses to Me... to the end of the earth." The courage of the Apostles to preach the Gospel to the point of martyrdom did not come from their own human strength, but from the vision of majesty they witnessed on this day. Every Christian today is likewise called to be a "living witness," manifesting to the world that Christ is truly alive through our love and virtue.
The triumph of human dignity: Today we receive the ultimate answer to human existence. Our final destination is not emptiness, it is not the grave, nor is it merely escaping hell. Our true dignity is to share in the divine glory and to sit upon the throne with God. This is a magnificent hope unmatched by any philosophy or religion in the world.
4. Practical Application: Living a Heavenly Life on Earth
During the Divine Liturgy, we sing the cherubic hymn exhorting ourselves: "Let us lay aside all earthly cares." In the midst of our chaotic daily lives, how can we draw strength from this feast?
When facing suffering and loss: In moments of grief, illness, or disappointment, always remember that Christ, who suffered on the Cross for us, now reigns over all things in heaven. He intimately understands our pain as a human being, and He intercedes for us at the right hand of the Father. Not a single tear of ours goes unseen, and no sorrow of ours is unknown to Him.
When feeling depressed, worthless, or broken: The world measures our worth by wealth, status, or appearance, often telling us we are insignificant. But the Ascension shouts to us: "Humanity is valuable enough for God to bring human flesh into heaven." Knowing this, take holy pride in your dignity as a child of God, and cast away all despair and worthlessness from your heart.
When facing temptations and challenges: We do not fight alone. Though Christ's physical body ascended into heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit to dwell within the Church and her Sacraments. Every single time we step forward to receive the "Holy Gifts" (Holy Communion), heaven enters into us, and we are lifted up into heaven at that very moment. He grants us the grace to overcome sin day by day.
🕊️ Conclusion
Beloved brothers and sisters, the Ascension of Christ is the absolute pinnacle and fulfillment of His entire economy of salvation. He was born as a man to sanctify us; He died on the Cross to redeem us from death; He rose again to grant us new life; and He ascended into heaven to open the path for us to enter into union with God.
Let us celebrate this holy feast with hearts overflowing with radiant hope. Let us lift up our minds to the things above, refusing to remain trapped by the passions, desires, and fleeting sorrows of this temporary world. For our true home, and the true dignity of mankind, already awaits us at the right hand of God the Father, together with Jesus Christ our Savior.
To Him be all glory, honor, and worship, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Amen.
