In parting from those whom we sincerely love, we cannot but grieve, we cannot but feel sorrow, while the Apostles returned with great joy from the Mount of Olives, where they had parted from the Lord. Their beloved Teacher, the only One Who was able to reveal all truth to them and to dispel the darkness of doubt that sometimes overcame their souls has left them on their own, and yet they are rejoicing; their sole Patron and Protector has left them among the Jews, a people hostile to Christ and all that is Christ's, and yet they are rejoicing; the Lord Christ, from conversations with Whom their hearts were filled with lively joy, leaves them in a world of discontent, sorrow, all kinds of misfortunes, and yet they are rejoicing. Incomprehensible emotion! And we will not understand it, brethren, if we look upon the Apostles as upon ordinary men, and if we talk about them in human terms.

Prior to the Lord's Resurrection, when they were closer to us in thoughts and emotions, their hearts, like ours, were filled with sorrow when the Lord told them that He would depart from them; but now, when the risen Lord talked to them about establishing His Kingdom on earth, when through His breath He imbued them with the Spirit Who purified and enlightened their thoughts and feelings and, perhaps, revealed to them the mystery of the Lord's Ascension – now they were no longer comprehending the ascended Christ in terms of body and, therefore, they could not entertain our sorrowful feelings of parting, but now they themselves clearly understood that it was better for the Lord to leave them. The certainty that great good was connected with the Lord's Ascension not only expelled all shadow of sorrow from their souls, but, on the contrary, filled them with great and indescribable joy. In His Ascension the Saviour became vested with Kingly and Divine authority and power. With His Ascension the Lord elevated man, reconciled him with God, and affiliated him to God. The Lord's Ascension is the citadel of our hope.

Saint Theophanus the Recluse