Solemnity of Ascension in Jerusalem

The sacred narrative of the Ascension, as chronicled in the Acts of the Apostles, tells of Jesus' ascent to heaven, shrouded by a cloud from the sight of His disciples. 

On this hallowed ground, a church was erected in 378 AD to honor this divine mystery, which has withstood the passage of time, destruction, and reconstruction, preserving its original octagonal design. Despite changing hands after the Crusaders' era, the site remains a testament to faith across cultures.

Annually, the Franciscan community, alongside local believers and visitors, gather to observe the solemnity of the Ascension. The observance commences on Wednesday with the Franciscans' grand entrance, Vespers, and a thrice-circled procession around the sacred site. The vigil ushers in a night of continuous Eucharistic celebration.

This year, the Hebrew-speaking faithful of Jerusalem joined in the early morning liturgy at 6 am. Fr. Piotr, Vicar of St. James, during his sermon, encouraged the congregation to reflect on the personal significance of Christ's Ascension.

The service concluded with a morning prayer at the Monastery of the Benedictine Sisters on the Mount of Olives, followed by a communal breakfast in the monastery's gardens, offering a panoramic embrace of the city.