The Russian Orthodox Church of Ascension, Jerusalem

"And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven" (Luke 24:50-51). According to Orthodox Christian tradition it is the site where Jesus ascended to heaven 40 days after resurrection. Earlier, two 5th century Armenian churches were present here.

Today, there are a Russian Orthodox Church, a Convent and a Chapel dedicated to John the Baptist. The modern convent and church was built in 1870-1887, by Antonin Kapustin. Behind the church, is a blue-caged rock . This rock is according to tradition the place where Virgin Mary stood when Jesus ascended to heaven.

The chapel is built over the ruins of a 5th Century Armenian church, whose ancient mosaics are still seen inside the chapel. According to tradition, when John the Baptist (the forerunner of Christ) was beheaded by Herod Antipas (Mark 6:27), his followers concealed the head here, only to be rediscovered in a jar by two Syrian monks in 452 AD. Today you can see this mosaic floor and the deep cavity, where according to tradition the head of John the Baptist was found.

Another attraction is the 64 m (200 ft) tall bell tower, which is a landmark in the Jerusalem's skyline and can be seen for miles around in any direction. Russians believe that the tower stands exactly on the same spot where Jesus ascended to heaven. It was the first Christian bell to operate in Jerusalem. The tower is open to public only on the day of ascension (40 days after easter). The eight ton heavy bell was made in Russia. In 1885, Russian pilgrims pulled it on a specially built cart from the Jaffa to the Mount of Olives.

http://www.biblewalks.com/Sites/RussianAscensionChurch.html

http://www.jerusalem-mission.org/convent_ascension.html