The Feast of the Ascension of the Lord, on Thursday, 17 May 2018, was celebrated with great joy at Ss. Constantine and Helen Cathedral of Chicago. HE Metropolitan Nicolae served the Divine Liturgy with the priests of the Cathedral. After the Divine Liturgy, the memorial service was officiated for the heroes of the Romanian people, especially mentioned on the feast of the Ascension. Together with the heroes, the makers of Great Romania were celebrated on the occasion of the Centenary celebrated this year.

In the sermon, HE Metropolitan Nicolae interpreted the significance of the Ascension feast. The Risen Christ now ascends to the heavens and stands on the right hand of the Father, "filling up the order for us and bringing them together the earthly with the heavenly things," according to the words of the Kondakion of the Feast. The Son of God Incarnate in the womb of the Virgin, He who suffered as a man on the Cross, died and overcame death by the Resurrection, now returns to the bosom of the Trinity fulfilling the mission of redemption of man and raising human nature to the right of the Father. The separation from the disciples is in joy, for within 10 days will fulfill the promise of sending the Holy Spirit, "The Comforter, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father" (John 15: 26).

HE Nicolae reminded that the feast of the Lord's Ascension was also the Day of Heroes, established in the Romanian Orthodox Church in 1920, resumed as a feast in 2001. It is the day of remembrance of all those who sacrificed themselves for the freedom and unity of the people, have offered life a ransom price to brothers of a faith and nation. In particular, we are celebrating, in this year's Centenary of Great Romania, all the heroes of the Romanian people.