The Ascension

The figures at the bottom represent Ocean and Earth.  The attitude of Christ's body suggests a walking ascent, as if up a mountain as in an earlier plaque of the 4th century, but no mountain is actually shown.  Presumably the figures at his right and left represent the apostles.  It is significant that they too seem to be ascending through the air, reflecting Pauline theology that " if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection" (Romans 6:5).

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