The Feast of the Transfiguration takes its origins from the
celebration of the Gospel event. Jesus leads His Disciples up
the mountain. "He was transfigured before their eyes. His face
became dazzling as the sun, His clothes as radiant as light."
(Mt. 17: 2) In this light we see Christ. "This is My beloved Son,
on Whom My favor rests. Listen to Him." (Mt. 17: 5)
The Icon of the Transfiguration portrays Christ surrounded by
the glorious light of His divinity and clothed in the same garments
in which He is depicted in all representations of the Resurrection.
To His left is Moses, holding the Tablets of the Law, while to His
right is shown the Prophet Elias. St. John Chrysostom offers
various reasons for the appearance of these particular Old
Testament figures at the Transfiguration. They represent the Law
and the Prophets. Both had visions of God. Moses represents
the dead while Elias, having been carried up to heaven in a
chariot of fire, represents the living over whom — both the living
and the dead— Christ reigns in glory.
The Apostles Peter, James, and John are in the lower portion of
the Icon. These are the same three who would appear in
Gethsemene with Christ; they were being prepared for the
Passion, which they still were not able to comprehend. The
Apostles’ position in the Icon vary throughout history. Beginning
with the eleventh century, however, St. Peter, shown to the left,
is represented as kneeling, supported on his right hand, raising
his left hand to shield his eyes from the light. St. John, always in the center, is depicted as fallen, his back turned to the light and his sandal having fallen from his foot. St. James, to the right, is portrayed as fleeing from the light.
Christ appeared to the Apostles not in the form of man as the "suffering servant" but, rather, in the form of God. "For taking apart the three Disciples He has expressly chosen.... He led them up into the mountain by themselves; and for a short time He concealed the flesh He had assumed, and was transfigured before them." (Vesper Hymn)
The Feast of the Transfiguration celebrates the divinity of Christ and the divinization of man. It gives us a glimpse into Christ’s divine person, and sets us afire with divine light.
TROPARION
You were transfigured on the mountain, 0 Christ God, revealing as much of Your glory to Your Disciples as they could behold. Through the prayers of the Mother of God let Your everlasting light shine also upon us sinners. 0 Giver of Light, glory be to You!
