“While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven.  And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy…” (NRSV, Luke 24:51,52)

On Ascension Day the Risen Christ appeared to his Apostles in Jerusalem and then led them out of the city, past the Garden of Gethsemane and up the slopes of the Mount of Olives.

There he briefly gave them their final commission to preach the Gospel to all nations and then he lifted up his hands and blessed them.  And as he did so he went up from them towards the sky and as they watched him a cloud of divine light hid him from their sight.  And when the cloud had gone, he was no longer to be seen.  Then they retraced their steps and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.