The most powerful prayer for the Ascension of the Lord: to whom and what to pray on the big holiday on May 29

At the end of spring, Orthodox believers celebrate the Ascension of the Lord. This is a floating date holiday, which depends on the day of Easter celebration and always falls on Thursday. In 2025, it will be celebrated on May 29. Izvestia publishes the schedule of divine services and the most powerful prayers for the Ascension.

Akathist to the Ascension of the Lord: to whom and what to pray for Ascension

The celebration marks the Savior's transition from earthly life to eternal life. The event is described in detail in the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Holy Apostles. According to legend, on the 40th day after His resurrection, Jesus Christ gathered the apostles at the foot of Mount Olivet and, after blessing them, began to slowly soar into heaven.

In the Orthodox tradition, the Ascension of the Lord refers to the twelve feasts, symbolizing the hope of eternal life and the second coming of Christ. On the day of the celebration, the priests dress in white robes and perform services that resemble Easter in many ways.

On the eve of the evening, an All—night vigil is held in churches and temples, and on Thursday morning, the Liturgy of John Chrysostom, at which the akathist of the feast is read (from the Greek akathistos — "non-sedentary song"). This is a hymn of praise, consisting of 25 kontakion songs and icons. They reveal the content and essence of the event.

The akathist begins with the words: "Forbidden Voivode, Creator of heaven and earth! To the conqueror of death we offer praiseworthy hymns, for after Your most luminous Resurrection from the dead you ascended into heaven with glory and ascended with Your most pure flesh to the right hand of God and the Father, and you also exalt our fallen nature with You, and be free from sins and from eternal death forever. We celebrate Your Divine Ascension with Your disciples, crying out to You from the bottom of our hearts: Jesus, ascend from us to heaven, do not leave us alone."

They sing the akathist only standing up. Allowances are made only for the infirm and pregnant women.

The important feast of the Ascension of the Lord: date in 2025, meaning for the Orthodox

What churches of the Ascension are there in Russia and how should believers spend the holiday?

The most powerful prayers for the Ascension of the Lord

Believers who cannot attend the service usually read prayers at home in front of the icon of the Ascension of the Lord or any other image of the Savior. Here is an example of the most powerful prayer that can be said on a church holiday on May 29 (published with an abbreviation):

"O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, who hast descended from the heavenly heights for our salvation and hast filled us with spiritual joy on the holy and most luminous days of Thy Resurrection. Grant us the weak to celebrate Your ascent to heaven, lay aside our carnal and worldly cares, and now look to heaven with Your apostles with all your heart and with all your thoughts, remembering that our abode is there in heaven, and here on earth we are strangers and strangers, who have departed from our Father's house to a distant land. sin. For this reason, we fervently ask You, O Lord, by Your glorious Ascension, quicken our conscience, which is the most necessary thing in the world, and lead us out of the captivity of this sinful flesh. May we not please ourselves and live, but may we serve You, the Lord and our God, together with Archangels and Angels, and with all the saints, glorify Your All-holy Name, together with Your Beginningless Father and Your All-holy, Consubstantial, and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."

On the holiday, it is also customary to pray for the health of loved ones and relatives, therefore, on the Ascension of the Lord, you can read a prayer for health, for example, for healing from diseases, or a common prayer for all living.

"O Lord our God, heal Thy servant (name) from all diseases and infirmities, grant him good health, may he be strong in spirit and body. Protect him from evil forces, grant him longevity and prosperity. Lord, have mercy on him and grant him healing. Protect my neighbors and all the neighbors of my family, and others, and all Orthodox Christians. Give them Your earthly and heavenly blessings, and do not deprive them of Your mercies, visit them, strengthen them, and by Your power grant them health and salvation of the soul. Amen to that."

Ascension of the Lord: what date is in 2025, what can and cannot be done on the holiday

In addition, since ancient times it has been believed that on Ascension day one can ask the Savior for his innermost dreams. However, they can come true if prayer is sincere, with pure and kind thoughts.

"Lord Jesus Christ, our God, I pray to You for well-being in life, for the fulfillment of My innermost desire. Do not get angry at my heartfelt request, but also do not refuse endless mercy. Bless me, the servant of God (name), for the fulfillment of a wish (description). Bring good luck to wise actions and turn away from vain desires that destroy the soul. Hallowed be Thy name, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."

The Divine service for the Ascension of the Lord – 2025: how is it going in the church, what time does it start

Divine services in honor of the Ascension of the Lord are held in churches both on the eve of the feast and on Ascension Day itself. The beginning of the service may vary, so the schedule should be specified directly at the temple or on its official website.

The main service will take place on May 29 at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow. The morning confession will begin at 8:00 a.m., and the liturgy will begin an hour later at 9:00 a.m. The faithful will be able to attend the evening service at 17:00. At the same time, an all-night vigil will be held the night before.

Earlier this month, the Day of the Icon of the Mother of God "The Inexhaustible Chalice" was celebrated. Izvestia told us what this image is known for and what they pray for in front of it.