Definition

Proper noun 1. The Ascension of Christ: In Christian belief, this is the event where Jesus Christ, after his resurrection from the dead, was taken up bodily into heaven. This event is described in the New Testament of the Bible and is traditionally celebrated on the 40th day after Easter Sunday.

Usage

• The Ascension of Christ is a major feast day in the Christian liturgical calendar.
• The painting depicts the Ascension of Christ with the disciples looking up in awe.
• The doctrine of the Ascension of Christ signifies his exaltation and the promise of eternal life for believers.

Advanced Usage

• "The Feast of the Ascension": This is the formal name for the holy day commemorating this event.
  • The church will hold a special service for the Feast of the Ascension.
• "Ascension Day": A common alternative name for the feast day.
  • Ascension Day falls on a Thursday.

Variants and Related Words

• Ascension (noun, often capitalized): The shorter, more common form used to refer to the same event.
  • The story of the Ascension is found in the Book of Acts.
• Ascensiontide (noun): The period in the Christian calendar following Ascension Day.
• Ascend (verb): To move, climb, or go upward. This is the root verb from which "Ascension" is derived.

Synonyms

• The Ascension
• Christ's Ascension

Notes on Meaning

• The term Ascension of Christ refers specifically to a singular, foundational event in Christian theology. It is not used to describe a general concept of "going up."
• When capitalized ("Ascension"), it almost always refers to this specific event of Jesus Christ. The lowercase "ascension" can refer to any act of rising or climbing.

Noun

1. (New Testament) the rising of the body of Jesus into heaven on the 40th day after his Resurrection