Jesus Christ, shortly before suffering on the cross, took three of his disciples (Peter, James, John) and went north from Capernaum to Tabor - a mountain that towered like a fortress over the hills of Galilee.
The silent apostles foresaw the discovery of a certain mystery, which takes place in silence. The words of men relate to the mystery like a wave in the depths of the ocean.
The Transfiguration of the Lord - the feast of the visual manifestation of God's kingdom on earth
Arriving at Tabora, the disciples witnessed the Divine act - Christ's Transfiguration, the manifestation of his glory and greatness. The face of the Savior became like a light that spews lightning, his clothes became as white as snow. Jesus stood surrounded by a wonderful radiance, as if bathed in the rays of the sun. At this time, the prophets Elijah and Moses appeared to Christ, who had a conversation with him. The interpreters of the Scriptures (exegetes) claim that the dialogue was about the forthcoming sacrifice on Golgotha, about the approaching suffering of the Saviorand that all human sins will be atoned for through the blood of his, God's Son.
Three Christ's disciples were honored with an incomparable great joy - contemplation of the appearance of the Divine light. It seemed to them that time had stopped at that hour. Surprised to the depths of their souls, the apostles crouched down to the ground. After the vision disappeared, they, together with Jesus, descended from Tabora and returned to
Capernaum by dawn. The result of the journey for three students was the understanding that they should not have fear and amazement from the irretrievable loss of a teacher. On the contrary, a reminder of the Transfiguration must serve as a strengthening in their faith. In addition, they should share this feeling with other students.
Thus, the Transfiguration of the Lord is a celebration of the visual manifestation of God's kingdom on earth. Christianity has the ability to attract people, and not by bright oratorical eloquence and not by the external attractiveness of rituals. The Transfiguration of the Lord is a holiday that opens the soul of a person again and again a new world, which is the eternal Divine light.
No other religion or system of philosophy does this.
The Orthodox holiday, celebrated annually on August 19 - the Transfiguration of the Lord, reminds people of the meaning of its symbols. Mount Tabor acts as silence, a place of solitude, in which it is easier to say prayers that help to unite the restless human consciousness with God.
On the day of the TransfigurationLord, according to an ancient tradition that arose in the time of the apostles, ripened fruits are consecrated in churches by sprinkling holy water before eating them. At the same time, the corresponding prayers are said. The Transfiguration of the Lord is a holiday during which the Church asks God for the gift of sanctification of the souls and bodies of those who taste these fruits. Throughout the Orthodox celebration, prayers are raised to the Lord for the preservation of a calm and joyful life for the parishioners, for the multiplication of the gifts of the earth. On this day, all the clothes of the clergy are white, which symbolizes the radiance of Tabor.
