Transfiguration

The experience of the Transfiguration was given to the disciples with the purpose of strengthening their faith in God’s kingdom and His glory. In that event of the Transfiguration, Jesus takes three of His apostles - Peter, James and John on top of a high mountain to pray. That mountain is referred to as Mount Tabor as per traditions. Mount Tabor is also recognized as the Mount of Transfiguration. The Church of the Transfiguration is a Fransciscan Church which is located on Mount Tabor which is situated in Israel. A few Christians alongwith Origen have identified Mount Tabor as the place where the Transfiguration took place.

                Whittaker drew a connection between Moses’ view of the promised land and Jesus’ words on coming down from the mountain: “You will say to this mountain (i.e. of Transfiguration), ‘Move from here to there,’ (i.e. the promised land) and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” On the mountaintop Jesus is seen to be transfigured, His face shone like the bright sun and His clothes like dazzling white. After this the prophets Moses and Elijah are seen next to Jesus conversing with Him. The climax of this scene is when Jesus is called “Son” by a voice from above, which is taken to be the voice of God the Father, like in the Baptism of Jesus.

                The event of the Transfiguration is of great significance because it is the point where human nature meets God with Jesus acting as a connecting point or in other words the bridge between heaven and earth. This event reinforces the teaching of Jesus that God is “not the God of the dead, but of the living”. Thomas Aquinas considered the Transfiguration “the great miracle”. Saint Irenaeus wrote: “The glory of God is a live human being and truly human alive is the vision of God.” Bishop Athanasius of Sinai said: “It is good to be with Jesus and to remain here, as you have said, Peter. It is good to be with Jesus and to remain here forever. What greater happiness or higher honour could we have than to be with God, and to be made like Him and to live in His light?”

                This feast was made a universal feast in the Western Church on August 6^th by Callistus III in honour of the lifting of the Siege of Belgrade, 1456. Transfiguration is regarded as a major feast, which is counted among the 12 great feasts in the Byzantine rite. Many Christian denominations celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration. In the Syriac Orthodox, Indian Orthodox, Revised Julian Calendars within Eastern Orthodoxy, Roman Catholic, and Anglican churches, the Feast of the Orthodox is kept on 6^th August.