Ascension of Jesus

== In Christian art ==
{{Main|Ascension of Jesus in Christian art}}
The Ascension of Jesus has been a frequent subject in [[Christian art]].{{sfn|Becchio|Schadé|2006|loc=unpaginated}} By the 6th century, the iconography of the Ascension had been established and by the 9th century, ascension scenes were being depicted on domes of churches.{{sfn|Baggley|2000|p=137-138}}{{sfn|Jensen|2008|p=51-53}} The [[Rabbula Gospels]] (c. 586) include some of the earliest images of the ascension.{{sfn|Jensen|2008|p=51-53}} Many ascension scenes have two parts, an upper (Heavenly) part and a lower (earthly) part. The ascending Christ may be carrying a resurrection cross-banner or make a sign of benediction with his right hand.{{sfn|Earls|1987|p=26-27}} The blessing gesture by Christ with his right hand is directed towards the earthly group below him and signifies that he is blessing the entire Church.{{sfn|Ouspensky|Lossky|1999|p=197}} In the left hand, he may be holding a Gospel or a scroll, signifying teaching and preaching.{{sfn|Ouspensky|Lossky|1999|p=197}}

The [[Eastern Orthodox]] portrayal of the ascension is a major metaphor for the mystical nature of the Church.{{sfn|Nes|2005|p=87}} In many Eastern icons, the [[Virgin Mary]] is placed at the center of the scene in the earthly part of the depiction, with her hands raised towards Heaven, often accompanied by various Apostles.{{sfn|Nes|2005|p=87}} The upwards-looking depiction of the earthly group matches the Eastern liturgy on the Feast of the Ascension: "Come, let us rise and turn our eyes and thoughts high&nbsp;..."{{sfn|Ouspensky|Lossky|1999|p=197}}

=== Olivet and the Chapel of the Ascension ===
{{Main article|Chapel of the Ascension (Jerusalem)}}
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The traditional site of the ascension is [[Mount Olivet]] (the "Mount of Olives"), on which the village of Bethany sits. Before the conversion of [[Constantine the Great]] in 312 AD, early Christians honored the ascension of Christ in a cave on the Mount, and by 384 the ascension was [[venerated]] on the present site, uphill from the cave.{{sfn|Murphy-O'Connor|2008|p=142}}

Around the year 390 a wealthy [[Roman Empire|Roman]] woman named Poimenia financed construction of the original [[Church (building)|church]] called "[[Eleona Basilica]]" (''elaion'' in Greek means "olive garden", from ''elaia'' "olive tree", and has an oft-mentioned similarity to ''eleos'' meaning "mercy"). This church was destroyed by [[Sassanid Empire|Sassanid Persians]] in 614. It was subsequently rebuilt, destroyed, and rebuilt again by the [[Crusaders]]. This final church was later destroyed by Muslims, leaving only a 12×12 meter octagonal structure (called a ''martyrium''—"memorial"—or "[[edicule]]") that remains to this day.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Christ Church Angelus|url=http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs015/1102441252649/archive/1105697406908.html|website=archive.constantcontact.com|access-date=2020-05-26}}</ref>{{better source|date=October 2018}} The site was ultimately acquired by two emissaries of [[Saladin]] in the year 1198 and has remained in the possession of the Islamic [[Waqf]] of Jerusalem ever since. The [[Russian Orthodox Church]] also maintains a [[convent]] of the ascension on the top of the Mount of Olives.

=== Gallery ===
<gallery widths="160px" heights="200px">
File:RabulaGospelsFol13vAscension.jpg|[[Rabbula Gospels]]<br />6th century
File:Enluminure Drogon c.jpg|[[Drogo Sacramentary]]<br />c. 850
File:Ascension from Vasilyevskiy chin (15th c., GTG).jpg|[[Andrei Rublev]]<br />1408
File:Pietro Perugino cat48c.jpg|[[Pietro Perugino]]<br />1496–1500
File:Dosso Dossi 022.jpg|''The Ascension'', [[Dosso Dossi]], 16th century.
File:Benvenuto Tisi da Garofalo - Ascension of Christ - WGA08474.jpg|[[Il Garofalo|Garofalo]]<br />1520
File:Bodleian Library MS. Arm. d.13. Armenian Gospels-0023-0.jpg|Armenian Gospel manuscript<br />1609
File:Rembrandt van Rijn 192.jpg|[[Rembrandt]]<br />1636
File:Voznesenie Sv. Petka Malovište.jpg|Macedonian icon, Bitola, Macedonia<br />19th century 
File:ND Rosaire mosaïque 03.jpg|[[Rosary Basilica]], [[Lourdes]]<br />19th century
</gallery>