Ascension Day
Ascension Day is a Christian holiday that marks the end of Jesus' life on earth. On this day, it is celebrated that the Son of God left the earth again after the resurrection. In order to return in the form of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, Jesus had to leave the earth as a human being
Meaning of Ascension Day
Ascension Day commemorates Jesus' ascension to his Father in heaven: God. According to Christianity, this took place thirty-nine days after Jesus' resurrection from the dead. It is an important moment in Christian tradition and is always celebrated on a Thursday2
Traditions
In the Middle Ages, Ascension was a real holiday. Priests held a vigil the night before Ascension Day. Other traditions were also developed, such as blessing the first fruit harvest of the season on Ascension Day. In England, people even organized an actual parade. People used to get up very early on Ascension Day to go dew tramping. This ritual involved dancing barefoot in the wet grass and often singing songs. Dew treading probably comes from the old May festival
Modern celebration
Today, Ascension Day is celebrated differently than in the past. Many people go out and enjoy a day off. Festivals, annual markets, bicycle rides and fairs are organized. Amusement parks are also popular on Ascension Day. It is a day to be together, relax and enjoy spring3.
When is Ascension Day 2024? Ascension Day falls ten days before Pentecost and is always a Thursday. The exact date varies from year to year, so consult the calendar to find the specific date of Ascension Day in 2024