The Ascension of our Lord is not only a historical event or theological concept—it is a living reality that shapes every aspect of our lives as Orthodox Christians. In our daily lives, the feast of Ascension calls us to remember our true identity and destiny. We are not merely earthly beings bound by the limits of this world. In Christ, we are called to rise above sin, fear, and spiritual death. His Ascension opens the path for us to participate in divine life. This is the heart of Orthodox spirituality: not just to believe in God, but to be transformed by Him, to ascend with Christ by grace.

 

The feast of Ascension teaches us that heaven is not a remote place, but the fullness of communion with God. Through prayer, the sacraments, and life in the Church, we begin even now to taste that communion. Every Divine Liturgy is a journey from earth to heaven, where we join the angels and saints in worship around the throne of God. We are reminded that our life must always be oriented upward—toward holiness, toward Christ, toward the Kingdom of Heaven.

 

Yet this upward call does not mean escaping this world. Christ ascended so He could send the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live His life in the world. As an Orthodox Christian we don't turn away from our earthly responsibilities but embrace them with a heart anchored in heaven. Ascension challenges us to bring Christ’s presence into our homes, our work, our relationships—to live with the peace, mercy, and truth of the One who reigns from on high.

 

Moreover,  Ascension gives us hope. In a world filled with suffering, injustice, and death, we do not despair. Christ has overcome the world. He has lifted our humanity into eternal glory. That's our future. No loss, no failure, no wound can erase the promise revealed in His Ascension: that we are made for more, and that God will bring all things to fulfillment in Christ.

 

Finally, the feast of Ascension teaches us humility. Christ, though exalted, remains present with us. He did not ascend to abandon us, but to be with us in a new and deeper way—through the Holy Spirit, in the Eucharist, and in the life of the Church. He calls us to live in that same spirit: to ascend not by climbing over others, but by lifting them up, serving with love, and keeping our eyes fixed on the things above.

 

In short, Ascension is not just something Christ did—it is something we are called to live. It reminds us who we are, where we are going, and how to get there: by uniting ourselves to Christ, who has gone before us and prepares a place for us in glory.