Description
This 16th century icon is a part of a celebrated set of festal icons showing important events in the life of Jesus plus a few other renowned feasts of the year. It was painted by George the Cretan for the Holy Monastery of Dionysiou on Mount Athos, and together they are known to be great examples of Post-Byzantine Greek iconographic art. This icon is the 12th of that set of icons.
The Holy Apostles with the Virgin Mary are gathered together with Christ as He is taken from them from earth to Heaven in His Holy Ascension just forty days after He has risen from the dead. Holy Angels go with Him as He ascends in a cloud and out of their earthly sight, and Angels are also with those still here below explaining the Mystery.
Christ always asks us to look above mere earthly joys and sorrows to live a Heavenly life even here on earth. Our minds and hearts have to be lifted up by our yearning for finding such a Divine life and living it day by day. The life cannot be known by just reading about it or thinking about it, but only by actual practice, and the humility of facing our failure to do this perfectly, even when trying.