Chapel of the Ascension

826 m above sea level

The western slope of the Mount of Olives above the Garden of Gethsemane, c. 1890–1900.Photochrom, Library of Congress · no known restrictions on publication

In the Bible

Jesus was taken up before the apostles' eyes and a cloud hid Him; then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day's journey away.

Acts 1:9–12After He had said this, they watched as He was taken up, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. They were looking intently into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.” Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is near the city, a Sabbath day’s journey away.

Tradition

By tradition since the 4th century, the Ascension is remembered here on the summit. Luke's Gospel says that Jesus led the disciples out as far as Bethany.

Here today

A small octagon of the Crusader period, domed later, on the site of a 4th-century church; on the feast of the Ascension several churches hold services in its courtyard.

Through the eyes of old pilgrims

And when it begins to be the ninth hour they go up with hymns to the Imbomon—that is, to the place from which the Lord ascended into heaven—and there they sit down.Egeria, c. 381–384

And all the children in those parts are there holding branches of olive-trees or palms; even those who cannot walk because of their tender years are supported on the hill by their parents.Egeria, c. 381–384

This place in the Bible

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Land outlines: Natural Earth (public domain).