O Christ God, thou hast ascended in Glory, granting joy to thy disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit. Through thy blessing they were assured that thou art the son of God, the Redeemer of the world!
— Troparion for the Ascension
The Lord himself gave us a sign… A virgin conceived and bore a son, “God with us.” He descended into the depths of the earth to seek the lost sheep, His own handiwork, which He Himself had made. Then He ascended into the heights above, to offer and submit to His Father this humanity which had been found, becoming Himself the first-fruits of man’s resurrection.
— Saint Irenaeus of Lyon, Against Heresies (III.19.3)
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