On August 6, the Orthodox Church celebrates the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lordwhich dates back to the first centuries of Christianity.
According to folk beliefs, with the advent of the holiday, the sky opens and responds to people’s innermost aspirations. It is believed that on this day nature, which until now was subject to summer, transforms and turns to winter.
For Christian believers, the Transfiguration of the Lord marks one of the significant evangelical events of the Savior’s earthly journey – His appearing in heavenly glory to his disciples Peter, John and James.
Jesus Christ often talked with his disciples about his sufferings. He said that he would be rejected by the chief priests and scribes, he would be and on the third day he would rise again.
The hearts of the disciples were filled with sorrow at his words. To confirm their faith, Christ appeared to three of the apostles in heavenly glory.
Taking with him Peter, James, and John, he went up with them to Mount Tabor near Galilee. Here he withdrew a little from them and began to pray. The students fell asleep at that time. When they awoke, they saw Jesus transfigured – his face was changed and bright as the sun, and his clothes became white as snow. With him were two men shining in glory – they were Moses and Elijah.
Peter, struck by what he saw, told Jesus that it was good for them to stay in this place, making three canopies for Him, Moses and Elijah. Suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed everyone and a voice was heard from the cloud saying: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, listen to Him!” (Matthew 17:5)
The students fell on their faces in fear. But the Lord touched them and said to them: “Get up, don’t be afraid!” (Matthew 17:7)
When they got up, they saw only Jesus Christ in his ordinary form. They came down from the mountain, and he forbade them to speak of what they had seen until the Son of Man rose from the dead.
The disciples heard the voice of God himself, and the two prophets, Moses and Elijah, testified with their appearance that Jesus was really the one about whom the prophets had predicted. This event was intended to protect the apostles from discouragement and doubt at the sight of Christ’s sufferings and to strengthen them in faith.
For Christians, the Feast of the Transfiguration brings divine change, hope, revival of the spirit.
2023-08-05 21:00:48
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