THE TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

Once Jesus told His disciples that some of them would not die until they had seen the Kingdom of God and then He took Peter, James and John up to a high mountain called Mount Tabor.

As Jesus prayed there everything marvellously changed in Him. "... His face shone like a sun, and His garments became white as snow and behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elias, talking with Him" (Matt. 17 : 7). Moses and Elias represented the Law and the Prophets of the Old Testament. Long before they had worked faithfully to get people to live according to God's will, and now they came and talked with Jesus about His coming death. "He was still speaking when a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said: "This is My Beloved Son, with Whom I am well pleased; listen to Him" (Matt. 17 : 5). The three disciples got frightened but the Lord said: "Rise, and have no fear" (Matt. 17 : 7). When Jesus and His disciples began their journey back down the mountain, Jesus asked them not to tell anyone about the Transfiguration they had witnessed. "Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead" (Matt. 17 : 9).

The promise made by Jesus Christ that some of His disciples would see the Kingdom of God before their death was fulfilled. The three Apostles heard the Lord talking to Moses and Elias about His crucifixion and they heard the voice of God. A glimpse of the Heavenly Kingdom and of the future life was given to them by the Lord and they were strengthened in their faith and ready to fight with courage for Christianity.

The Transfiguration of Christ is observed by Orthodox Christians as one of the twelve most important Holy Days. It is celebrated on August 6/19. On this day people bring grapes, as well as other fruits and vegetables to be blessed in Church. It symbolizes the fruitfulness and beauty of God's Paradise, and of the eternal Heavenly Kingdom which awaits us.