What is Ascension Day, when is it this year, and where is it a public holiday for this day?

It falls on May 26, Thursday this year, and is calculated according to the Eastern Orthodox calendar. The resurrected Jesus led his followers to Mount of Olive, which is in Jerusalem, and told them it was time for him to return to God.

Acts of the Apostles states that the disciples gathered around and questioned him if he would restore his kingdom in Israel this time. He answered that it is not for them to know the dates or times of the Father. He said that they would all receive power when the Holy Spirit came on to them, and they would be the witness in Jerusalem, Samaria, all of Judea, and the ends of the Earth. Just after this, he ascended to the heavens.

It is considered an important day for the Christian Churches and Catholic Church and is marked as early as the 4th Century. The meaning of ascension derives from the belief they hold for the exaltation and glorification of Jesus after his death and resurrection. It also includes the theme where he returned to the Father, the God.


In places where the day isn't a holiday, it's common to move the commemoration to the following Sunday to allow worshippers to attend the mass.

South Pacific islands Vanuatu, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Indonesia, Austria, Germany, and France observe the Ascension Day as a public holiday.