Ascension Thursday

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"The disciples worshiped the most high Lord who had come down from above the heavens, made the earth into heaven and gone up again whence he came, having united things below with things above and formed one Church, at the same time heavenly and earthy, to the glory of his love for mankind. Then they returned with joy from the Mount of Olives, whence the Master had ascended, to Jerusalem and were continuously in the temple with their minds set on heaven, praising and blessing God (Lk 24:53) and preparing themselves to receive the promised coming of the divine spirit..

...that is how those called by Christ's name should order their lives. They should persevere in prayers and supplications, and in imitation of the angels, have their eyes lifted up to the Master above the heavens, praising and blessing him with irreproachable conduct, and waiting for his mystical coming..."

- Saint Gregory Palamas, Meditation of the Day, Magnificat, June 2011, Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord