Traditions & Customs

While Luke places the Ascension in Bethany, the tradition "on the ground" stops short of Bethany, on top of the Mount of Olives.  A stone inside the domed chapel there has traces of the footprints of Jesus before he ascended.  Although most modern Christians have long since foresworn the literal concept of a "three-storied universe," the notion of Ascension nevertheless directs us upwards, symbolically.  After all, no matter where one locates heaven, the biblical account still records that the last time the disciples saw the Risen Lord, he was going up.  So, for us, as well as for ancient Christians, this is the consummate "mountaintop experience" and, consequently, traditions associated with keeping this feast take us both out and up.

 

Traditionally, the Paschal Candle was extinguished following the reading of the Gospel on Ascension Day. The gentle ascent and disappearance of the smoke from the smoldering wick was a poignant symbol of the departure of the Risen Lord from the earth.  

 

One custom was the lifting up of a statue or picture of Christ. In some places, this was quite elaborate, with ropes or chains rigged to elevate the image. In some places, it disappeared behind a veil or into a representation of clouds, while in others it went through a hole in the ceiling. After the image vanished, the congregation would be showered with rose petals and other flowers, symbolizing the gifts which the ascended Christ gives to his Church:  When he ascended on high he made captivity itself a captive; he gave gifts to his people....that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers.... (Ephesians 4:7,11)

 

In Germany, it was the custom for the priest to lift high a crucifix after the reading of the Ascension Gospel.  It makes visible the symbolic link between the Cross and the Ascension which is implicit in Jesus' words when he says, And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself. (John 12:32)  On the Cross, Jesus is glorified. When he ascends, he ascends to reign in glory. 

 

A unique English Ascension Day custom is found in Derbyshire. The custom is known as well-dressing and it involves decorating certain local wells with elaborate mosaic pictures, created with flower petals and other natural materials pressed into clay. Traditionally, the pictures were of a religious nature, though the modern observance of the custom has branched out into non-religious themes, as well. The custom cannot be said to have any thematic link with the feast itself. Indeed, it may be older than Christianity in Britain, but it has been observed on Ascension Day at least from the Middle Ages. The connection may have to do with a severe drought, during which certain wells continued to flow. Grateful people from the district came together on Ascension Day to give thanks for the thirst-quenching waters, and thus an ancient custom took on a Christian association, and became a part of the annual observance of the feast.

 

Ascension Day has always been a day for processions, following the example of Jesus who led the disciples out of Jerusalem and up the Mount of Olives. In the Middle Ages, these processions went out into the streets of the town, and everyone took part. In England a banner depicting a lion trampling the devil under his foot was often carried at the head of the procession, symbolizing the triumph of the ascended Christ over the evil one. In the course of the medieval processions in larger towns and cathedral cities, there were stops along the way to view pageants. These medieval pageants, enacted during processions on several of the greater feasts, were designed to teach the unlettered faithful about the feast and were the basis for the more elaborate cycles of mystery plays that became a centerpiece of the feast of Corpus Christi.

 

As with the Rogation processions, the liturgical processions of Ascension Day had their non-liturgical aspects.  In time, the liturgical procession evolved into a holiday hike, with hills and mountaintops as their destination. This is the logical focus for a family observance of the feast. After attending the Ascension Day Eucharist, or on the weekend following, take a picnic lunch or supper and hike to the top of the highest hill or mountain around. If hiking is not possible for some reason, drive, but go up to the heights.

 

Take time to notice the clouds, if there are any that day (and hope that they are not pouring rain!) There is an old tradition that the clouds on Ascension Day take the form of lambs, in honor of the Lamb of God. See what shapes you can find among the clouds. You could also make your own clouds with incense or if you light a fire to cook on. 

 

At the beginning of the trip, read Luke 24:50-52 and say this prayer:

Grant, we pray, Almighty God, that as we believe your only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended into heaven, so we may also in heart and mind there ascend, and with him continually dwell; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

On the way, sing or say Psalm 47, which proclaims: God is gone up with a merry noise. When you reach the top of the hill, read the story of the Ascension in Acts 1:6-11 and say this prayer:

Almighty God, whose blessed Son our Savior Jesus Christ ascended far above all heavens that he might fill all things: Mercifully give us faith to perceive that, according to his promise, he abides with his Church on earth, even to the end of the ages; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

From: fullhomelydivinity.org

 

In our family, we process to the highest point in the county, carrying our banners, crosses and fans, singing . When we reach the hilltop, we take the prayer book and candle out of our portable Ascension Prayer Kit and while Dad reads the prayers, the icon of Christ ascends, pulled up by throwing the rope over a tree branch. We then celebrate the feast with a picnic and a lovely view.