Finland celebrates Ascension Day with public holiday

Finland marks Ascension Day on Thursday, a Christian holiday commemorating Jesus Christ’s ascent into heaven, as reported by public broadcaster Yle.

The date of the holiday shifts annually, always falling 40 days after Easter Sunday. According to the Bible, Jesus appeared to his disciples during this period before completing his earthly mission, after which his followers continued spreading his teachings.

While Ascension Day has been officially observed since the 4th century, its significance in Finland has diminished over time. Once a major religious feast, it is now primarily treated as a secular public holiday.

The Finnish name for the holiday, helatorstai, originates from Swedish—hel meaning “holy”—rather than directly referencing the ascension, as in most other languages.