Transfiguration of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ — August 6 / August 19 (Julian Calendar)

On this day, August 6 according to the Julian Calendar (August 19 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates the Transfiguration of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ.

The Evangelists Matthew, Mark and Luke relate that Jesus Christ took three of His disciples — Peter, James and John — up onto a high mountain, and was transfigured before them: “And his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light” (Matthew 17:2). The Evangelist Luke tells us that the Transfiguration of Christ took place as He prayed: “And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering” (Luke 9:29). The Savior was transfigured in order to strengthen the faith of His disciples, so that when they beheld the crucifixion and death of their Teacher they might understand that all of this was necessary for the deliverance of mankind from its sins.

When Jesus Christ stood before the apostles in His divine glory, the prophets Moses and Elias stood beside Him: “And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him” (Matthew 17:3). The Evangelist Luke also tells us of what they spoke with the Lord: they “spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem” (Luke 9:31). By this departure is meant Christ’s going forth from earthly life through death, His Resurrection, and His Ascension into heaven.

The Apostle Peter asked his Teacher that three tabernacles be raised in that holy place: “Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias” (Matthew 17:4). The Evangelist Mark adds: “For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid” (Mark 9:6). In the judgment of Saint John Chrysostom, the words with which Peter addressed Christ bespeak the disciple’s love and the exalted spiritual state awakened in him by the vision. Nor is the fear of the apostles surprising: the divine beauty and the unearthly sight were such as could well frighten them. Suddenly a cloud of light appeared, and out of the cloud came a voice: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him” (Matthew 17:5).

Jesus came to the apostles, who had fallen upon their faces in fear, touched them with His hand and said: “Arise, and be not afraid.” When they opened their eyes, Moses and Elias were nowhere to be seen; Jesus was alone.

Nowhere in the Gospel is it indicated precisely which mountain the Savior ascended together with His disciples. In Saint Cyril of Jerusalem and in Saint Jerome we find the testimony that this was Mount Tabor. Certain travelers who lived in the sixth and seventh centuries confirm that in their own time three churches stood upon Mount Tabor, in keeping with the request that the Apostle Peter had made to the Savior.