esus
passed forty days on earth after His Resurrection from the dead, appearing
continually in various places to His disciples, with whom He also spoke, ate,
and drank, thereby further demonstrating His Resurrection. On this Thursday, the
fortieth day after Pascha, He appeared again in Jerusalem. After He had first
spoken to the disciples about many things, He gave them His last commandment,
that is, that they go forth and proclaim His Name to all nations, beginning from
Jerusalem. But He also commanded them that for the present, they were not to
depart from Jerusalem, but to wait there together until they receive power from
on high, when the Holy Spirit would come upon them.
Saying these things, He led them to the Mount of
Olives, and raising His hands, He blessed them; and saying again the
words of the Father's blessing, He was parted from them and taken up.
Immediately a cloud of light, a proof of His majesty, received Him.
Sitting thereon as
though on a royal chariot, He was taken up into
Heaven, and after a short time was concealed from the sight of the
disciples, who remained where they were with their eyes fixed on Him. At
this point, two Angels in the form of men in white raiment appeared to
them and said, "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into Heaven?
This same Jesus, Which
is taken up from you into Heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye
have seen Him go into Heaven" (Acts 1:11). These words, in a complete
and concise manner, declare what is taught in the Symbol of Faith
concerning the Son and Word of God. Therefore, having so fulfilled all
His dispensation for us, our Lord Jesus Christ ascended in glory into
Heaven, and sat at the right hand of God the Father. As for His sacred
disciples, they returned from the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem,
rejoicing because Christ had promised to send them the Holy Spirit.
Copyright 2019.St. George UGCC. All Rights Reserved.
