Archbishop Tutu features at Ascension Eucharist
Friday, 14th May 2010
The Most Reverend Dr Desmond Tutu, Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town and former Primate of Southern Africa and Metropolitan, preached at Westminster Abbey on Thursday 13th May 2010 during Sung Eucharist to Celebrate the Ascension of Our Lord.
The Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ has been celebrated on the fortieth day after Easter since the early Christian times, some 5th century authors claiming that even in their day it was of ancient custom. The Acts of the Apostles and the Gospel of St Luke refer to the risen Christ’s ascent into heaven in the sight of his disciples. It is in the Acts of the Apostles that the event is described as being forty days after the Resurrection.
The theological significance of this observance is that, whereas in his risen person before the Ascension, our Lord was present with his disciples only at particular times and places, afterwards he ‘ascended far above all the heavens, so that he fill all things’ (Ephesians 4:10).
See also
The Order of Service (PDF, 232 KB)
