The Transfiguration of the Lord, celebrated on August 6, is one of those exceptional moments in the liturgical calendar that penetrate to the very heart of the Christian faith. The commemoration of the biblical event on Mount Tabor, where the disciples of Christ experienced an extraordinary vision, is a source of reflection and contemplation on the nature of God and man.
The Gospel accounts of the Transfiguration of the Lord, transmitted by St. Matthew, St. Mark and St. Luke, present a scene in which the face of Jesus shines like the sun and his garments become dazzlingly white. This event, although extraordinary and difficult to understand, was an important moment for the disciples: Peter, James and John. In their presence, Christ spoke with Moses and Elijah, two great figures of the Old Testament, symbolizing the passage from the Old to the New Covenant.
The voice from heaven that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him” (Mt 17:5), is the central element of the theophany, revealing the divine nature of Jesus. It is a moment of revelation in which the disciples were to see Jesus not only as a teacher and prophet, but as the Son of God. This event, as Pope Benedict XVI noted, was intended to strengthen the faith of the disciples before the coming difficulties and events of Easter.
Historical and Theological Contexts
The Transfiguration of the Lord has deep roots in both the Eastern and Western traditions of Christianity. In the East, the celebration appeared as early as the 6th century, and in the Catholic Church it was officially established as a holiday by Pope Calixtus III in 1456. This decision was an expression of gratitude for the victory of Christian arms over the Turks at Belgrade. In Poland, this holiday has been known since the 11th century, and its celebrations have a long and rich tradition.
On Mount Tabor, the site considered the scene of the Transfiguration, traces of this profound spiritual history can be found today. Divided between the Franciscans and the Greek Orthodox, the mountain is a place of numerous pilgrimages. The Franciscans have conducted many archaeological excavations there, discovering traces of early Christian worship. Their presence on Tabor is a testament to a long-standing heritage that reaches back to the early centuries of Christianity.
Symbolism and meaning
For Christians, the Transfiguration of the Lord is a reminder of eternal life and resurrection, which are the goal of every believer. The symbolism of this holiday is rich and multidimensional. Moses and Elijah, present at the Transfiguration, represent the law and the prophets – two foundations of the Old Testament, which find their fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Their presence testifies to the end of a certain period and the beginning of a new era – the era of grace and salvation.
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