Ascension Day falls on Thursday, May 5, this year, the same day as Britain's referendum on membership of the EU. It commemorates the bodily ascension of Jesus into heaven and is traditionally celebrated on the 40th day after Easter, a Thursday, though many churches observe it on the following Sunday.
The story is told in the Bible by Luke in chapter 24:51, "While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven" and in a longer version in Acts 1:9-11.
It is also mentioned by Mark, who says: "After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God" (16:19). In the book of Revelation there are many references to Jesus in heaven. Theologically, the Ascension depicts the return of Christ in triumph to his heavenly kingdom after winning his great victory over the powers of darkness. It can also be taken as symbolising the taking up of humanity into heaven in the person of Christ.
Various customs are associated with Ascensiontide around the world. In England, processions used to take place with a banner at the head showing a lion and a dragon at the end, symbolising Christ's victory over the devil. In some churches the Ascension was re-enacted by lifting the figure of Christ through an opening in the roof of the church.
The Chapel of the Ascension in Walsingham, Norfolk, shows Jesus' feet projecting from the ceiling.
