The Ascension of our Lord
St. Symeon Stylites (the Younger) of the Wonderful Mountain (596).
St. Nicetas the Stylite, wonderworker, of Pereyaslavl-Zalesski (1186).
Martyrs Meletius Stratelates, Stephen, John, and 1,218 soldiers with women and children, including: Serapion the Egyptian, Callinicus the Magician, Theodore, Faustus, the women Marciana, Susanna, and Palladia, two children Cyriacus and Christian, and twelve tribunes: Faustus, Festus, Marcellus, Theodore, Meletius, Sergius, Marcellinus, Felix, Photinus, Theodoriscus, Mercurius, and Didymus—all of whom suffered in Galatia (ca. 218). St. Vincent of Lerins (ca. 450). St. Gregory, archbishop of Novgorod (1193).
Nun-martyr Martha, abbess, of Monemvasia (990). Translation of the relics of St. George of the Holy Mountain and Georgia (ca. 1067).
Repose of Monk Cyriacus of Valaam (1818) and Blessed Amphilochius of Rostov (1824).
Thursday. Ascension. [Acts 1:1–12; Luke
24:36–53]
Saint Paul expresses the power of the
Lord’s Ascension in this manner: When he ascended
up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto
men (Eph. 4:8). Having satisfied God’s
righteousness, the Lord opened for us all the treasures of
God’s goodness. This is indeed a capturing or taking
of spoils after victory. The beginning of the distribution
of these spoils to people is the descent of the Holy
Spirit, Who, having descended, always abides in the Church
and gives everyone that which he needs, receiving all from
that captive captivity (cf. Eph 4:8). Come everyone and
take. But prepare for yourself guardian of that treasure,
which is a pure heart; have hands to take it, which is
unreflecting faith. Then step forth searching hopefully,
and praying relentlessly.