/ world today news/ Today, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church celebrates one of its brightest holidays – Transfiguration.
On the Transfiguration, according to an old tradition, new grapes and various fruits are consecrated and blessed.
The beginning of the holiday dates back to the first centuries of Christianity and is connected with one of the most important evangelical events – the appearance of Jesus Christ in heavenly glory to three of his closest disciples.
The apostles did not allow that Jesus Christ would endure humiliation and suffering – according to them, this was incompatible with His greatness and glory. He spoke to them often about the sufferings that awaited Him, about His death and Resurrection. In order to strengthen the faith of His disciples, Jesus Christ decided to show three of the apostles His true heavenly glory. Together with Peter, James and John, he climbed Mount Tabor in Galilee, withdrew from them and began to pray. Soon they fell asleep, and when they awoke they saw their Master completely transformed.
His face shone like the sun, and His clothes shone like light. Jesus talked with two of the greatest representatives of the Old Testament – the prophets Moses and Elijah, about His upcoming suffering and death on the cross in Jerusalem. In a moment a bright cloud overshadowed everyone and from it came a mighty voice: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.” At these words, the apostles from Above fell prostrate on the ground in great fear. When the Lord’s glory hid from them, the Lord approached His disciples and said: “Stand up, do not be afraid!” This miraculous event was supposed to protect the apostles from discouragement and doubt at the sight of Christ’s sufferings, to strengthen their faith in His divine nature.
For all Christian believers to this day, the Transfiguration of the Lord is associated with change and with new hope. Therefore, the holiday is celebrated at the end of the Christian church year. On this day, a special Tropar (prayer chant) is added to the Holy Liturgy of Orthodox churches with the Old Slavonic name “Early Fruits”, and in the Bulgarian Orthodox Church – “Consecration of the Grapes”. Because if in the northern Orthodox lands at the beginning of August there are only apples, then in the southern Bulgarian lands the first bunch of grapes has already been plucked. For the first time it is consecrated in the temple and eaten on the Feast of the Transfiguration.
In the small towns and villages of Bulgaria, the colorful folk customs related to the Transfiguration are still alive. Fairs are held, animals and goods are exchanged. Once upon a time, bachelors and bachelors agreed on engagements and marriages. According to a tradition from the deepest antiquity, marriages took place in September so that a child would be born in June and the bride could start work during the busy summer period.
According to the Bulgarian national calendar, on August 6, a permanent transformation occurs in nature. As the sun turns its back on summer and faces winter, the storks gather in flocks before flying off to warmer lands. According to beliefs, on this day, the sky opens and if one sees this, everything that one wishes comes true. If someone falls ill, a bundle of dried fruits is soaked, the sick person drinks from the water and the disease is transformed.
Transfiguration of the Lord is the time when the days are visibly getting shorter, the cold is expected. Everyone should reflect, remember that there were many times when he was bad, and now is the time to change, to become better.
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