The feast denotes Jesus’ ascension to heaven forty days after his Resurrection. The right to conduct a Christian rite in a place that has been owned by Muslims for centuries is an extraordinary event, unique to the Holy Land.
Highlights of the feast
Chapel of the Ascension, the Mount of Olives - the various congregations take their places in the walled area surrounding the Chapel of the Ascension, (which is in the care of the Muslims), and erect altars and tents. Celebrants of the six historical Christian communities hold Divine Liturgies/Masses concurrently, side by side.