Today is the Ascension of the Lord: traditions and prohibitions of the holiday

29 May 02:31

on May 29, 2025, Ukrainians celebrate the Ascension of the Lord, one of the twelve major church holidays. This day is considered special and solemn because, according to the Gospel, it was on this day that Jesus Christ ascended to heaven in front of the apostles on the 40th day after the Resurrection, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports

This holiday does not depend on the church calendar – it depends on the date of Easter and is celebrated on the 40th day after the Resurrection of Christ. According to the Gospel, Jesus Christ spent forty days after his resurrection teaching his disciples and strengthening their faith. On the fortieth day, he took them to the Mount of Olives, blessed them, and ascended into heaven, thus completing his service on earth.

This event became a symbol of the transition from bodily existence to heaven. This day is also considered to be the preparation of Pentecost, the descent of the Holy Spirit.

At that time, two angels appeared to those present and proclaimed that Christ would come to earth again in a visible way in due course to judge the living and the dead. In the meantime, the Lord will not leave his disciples even after his Ascension – although he will no longer appear to them in the form of a human being, he will still be invisibly with them.

When is the Ascension of the Lord in 2025?

Holidays have a floating date, that is, they change every year.

Since Easter this year fell on April 20, the Ascension falls on May 29. It is one of the twelve most important holidays in the church.

Traditions of the holiday

Festive services are held in churches on this day.

It is believed that all prayers said on Ascension have special power and will be heard, especially if they come from the heart.

Ask God for peace, health, and prosperity, and all good things will definitely return to your life.

Ascension of Christ: folk customs and signs

People believed that on this day spring finally turns into summer, it becomes really hot, and gardens bloom. Given that in 2025 the holiday fell on May 29, this sign is quite true for this year.

Like many other Orthodox holidays, the Ascension of the Lord has incorporated everyday folk traditions and even ancient pagan customs. For example, on the holiday, people used to dance in honor of the upcoming good harvest, and in some places they organized merry festivities.

On Ascension Day, people would bake pies filled with green onions, as well as special bread dishes called “ladder cakes,” which were made with seven “rungs” symbolizing the steps (according to the number of heavens of the apocalypse). These cakes were blessed in church and taken to visit relatives with treats.

It was considered a special sin in the period from Easter to the Ascension of Christ to refuse travelers anything, and believers tried to help the needy more, to give alms to those who asked.