3 Gospels describe the event that the church celebrates on August 19.
Returning to Galilee, Christ took his three apostles, John, Peter, and Jacob, and departed from the others who accompanied him for prayer. They went to Mount Tabor to be in solitude, praying and meditating.
There, the disciples witnessed an unusual phenomenon: the face of Christ changed, it began to radiate light like the sun, and clothes turned blindingly white. Elijah and Moses appeared in the same place and spent time with Jesus. A cloud suddenly formed in heaven and a voice was heard saying that Christ was the son of God.
Although Christ forbade the apostles from telling what they saw, no doubt this event played a huge role in strengthening their faith.
The theological significance of the Transfiguration is enormous. This event shows that:
Christ had a dual essence: divine and human. Gregory Palamas wrote that Jesus on the mountain showed the radiance that he always had in him, hidden under the flesh. Thus, the light of Tabor is not created, but exists.
Light of God.
Christ will return to earth in full glory: “on the clouds, with the angels” (John Chrysostom).
● The same transformation awaits us when the Second Coming takes place. John Chrysostom was convinced that the event on Mount Tabor shows us the transformation of our nature in the future.
● The appearance of two Old Testament prophets, one dead and the other not dead, shows that the Son of God has power over both life and death. His dominion extends over the heavens and the earth.
The celebration of the event on Mount Tabor began in the era of early Christianity. By the 4th century, the holiday became a church-wide celebration. Saint Helena built a temple in honor of this event.
On this day, in the south, it was customary to bless grape bunches, from which wine was later made for communion. In the harsh Russian climate, grapes were replaced with apples. They were just in time. Therefore, the holiday has a second name: Apple Spas.
Celebration
August 19
Charity foundHoly Land.
Soul investment!
