The feast, falling
on the fortieth day after Easter, celebrates Christ’s ascent into Heaven and is
described in Luke’s Gospel (24:50-53) and in Acts (1:9-12).
The composition
derives from the pre-Christian imagery of an emperor’s apotheosis whereby the
deified emperor was shown on a shield carried up by eagles into the realm of
the gods.
In the icons,
Christ is shown ascending in a glory or aureole born up by angels. He is seated
and blesses with his right hand in the traditional gesture with two fingers
raised. Below, standing on the Earth, are the Mother of God attended by two
angels with groups of apostles on either side. Behind are stylised trees and
rocky mountains.
The feast, dating
from very early Christian times, originated in Antioch around 380 AD. The
present form of the imagery dates from the 6th century and was in general use
throughout Christian churches by the 9th century since when it has scarcely
changed.