Ascension Day of Jesus Christ celebration in Yogyakarta
Ascension Day of Jesus Christ celebration in Yogyakarta
What is Ascension day? In short it is the event in which Jesus Christ is enthroned in glory at God’s right hand. This event is written in the bible, especially Injil Lukas dan Kisah Para Rasul (The Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles), that talks about how Jesus was sent to heaven 40 days after the easter sunday in front of his followers in Bukit Zaitun (Mount of Olives).
Ascension day of Jesus Christ as a national holiday.
Indonesia, as a nation based on the motto "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika" (Unity in Diversity), recognizes 6 official religions: Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. In the spirit of this diversity, the government has designated Ascension Day as a national holiday, a form of state respect for the Christian religious celebration.
Fun fact: Indonesia is one of the Muslim-majority countries that has officially designated the Ascension Day of Jesus Christ as a national holiday, reflecting the commitment to religious tolerance enshrined in Pancasila.
How Do They Celebrate It?
Indonesia, as a nation based on the motto "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika" (Unity in Diversity), recognizes 6 official religions: Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. In the spirit of this diversity, the government has designated Ascension Day as a national holiday, a form of state respect for the Christian religious celebration.
So, how does it look in Yogyakarta? As one of the central cities with a lot of civilization in Indonesia during colonialism, there are a lot of diversities, one of which is religion, hence there are a lot of historical relics. The one that’s quite diverse in Yogyakarta is the Church, as we’ve mentioned before about Gereja Ganjuran and Gereja Kotabaru. These churches also celebrate the Ascension Day of Jesus Christ, how?
In Yogyakarta, the celebration of the Ascension of Jesus Christ takes place solemnly in various churches spread across the city and surrounding regencies, from Sleman, Bantul, to Gunungkidul. Some typical traditions are usually:
Special Mass Services Churches in Yogyakarta hold several Mass sessions on Thursdays, from morning to night. These Masses are more festive than usual, featuring hymns, the Eucharist, and special reflections on the meaning of Christ's ascension.
Liturgical Processions and Dramas Some parishes stage dramas or dance performances depicting the journey of Jesus and his disciples to the Mount of Olives, reenacting the biblical event in a festive and meaningful setting.
Lighting the Paschal Candle In some churches, the Paschal Candle, which has been lit since Easter, is extinguished on Ascension Day symbolizing Christ's physical departure from earth.
Family Meals After Mass, the warm tradition of gathering and eating together with the family is an important moment. Local Javanese dishes are often served at the dinner table in Yogyakarta.
Social and Charitable Activities Church communities in Yogyakarta use this holiday to visit orphanages, nursing homes, and hospitals bringing food, clothing, and prayers.
Pilgrimage to the Marian Cave Yogyakarta Catholics often use the Easter season to make pilgrimages to the Sendangsono Marian Cave or other pilgrimage sites in the Yogyakarta Special Region.
What distinguishes the Ascension Day celebration in Yogyakarta from other cities is the aura of tolerance that is deeply rooted in daily life. The Yogyakarta City Agency for National Unity and Politics (Bakesbangpol) officially designated this commemoration as a momentum to strengthen bonds of brotherhood between religious communities and strengthen national values.
In May 2025, the Yogyakarta Gusdurian Network held "Jalan-Jalan Toleransi" (Tolerance Walk) an interfaith journey that visited three historic churches: GKI Ngupasan, GPIB Marga Mulya, and Kidul Loji Catholic Church. Participants from various religious backgrounds discussed together, learned about church history, and built brotherhood amidst diversity.
This city really lives up to its name, a special city where so many cultures could combine gracefully without removing its essence and it’s happening generation after generation. Yogyakarta's churches are more than just places of worship. They are part of the city's identity, standing alongside mosques, temples, and monasteries in a harmony that has been maintained for centuries. The architecture of the Kotabaru Church, which adopts Javanese carvings, or the Ganjuran Church, which combines Hindu temples with Christian icons, are clear evidence that faith must not lose its cultural roots. On Ascension Day, Yogyakarta once again showed its best face as a city that values differences, celebrates diversity, and maintains peace not just as a slogan, but as a way of life.