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Ascension Day, or Holy Thursday

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

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Ascelin (or Anselm), Nicholas

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a festival of the church held in commemoration of the ascension of our Lord, forty days after Easter, and ten before Whitsuntide. Augustine (Ep. 54,) supposed it to be among the festivals instituted by the apostles themselves, but it was not observed in the church until the third century. It is also noticed in the Apostolical Constitutions. It is especially observed in the Roman Church, and also, though with less form, in the Church of England. It is one of the six days in the year for which the Church of England appoints special psalms. -Bingham, Orig. Eccl. bk. 20, cap. 6, 5; Procter, On the Common Prayer-book, p. 288.