Come, let us ascend the mountain of the Lord, and go into the house
of our God.
Let
us contemplate the glory of His Transfiguration, the glory of the only
begotten Son of God the Father. From His light, let us receive light;
and raised up by the Holy Spirit, let us sing the praises of the
consubstantial Trinity forever.
Litiya verse for the Feast
On August 6th we celebrate in our Holy Churches the glorious
Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Chris. This day is one of the 12 major
feast days of our Holy Church. By His Transfiguration, the Savior has
showed us how people become in the future life, in the Kingdom of
Heaven, if they follow God’s Law and how the entire ear
thly world would
be transfigured. The Lord also reminds us that we can be transfigured
even now if we lead a truly Christian life.
This important event in Christ’s life on earth occurred not long
before His Crucifixion. In order to sustain His disciples’ faith
when they would see Him suffering, the Lord first showed them
His divine glory. Taking along three of His disciples – Peter,
John and James, the Lord ascended a high mountain, called Mount
Tabor, to pray. While Christ was praying, the disciples fell
asleep from fatigue. When they awoke, they saw that Christ was
transfigured: His face shone like the sun, while His garments
had become radiant as light. Two prophets – Moses and
Elijah – appeared to Him in their heavenly glory and spoke with
Him about His forthcoming suffering and death.
Seeing all this, the
disciples’ hearts were filled with extraordinary joy. When they saw that
the prophets were about to withdraw from Christ, Peter, trying to hold
them back, cried out: “Lord! It is good for us to be here; if You wish,
we will make three tents here: one for You, one for Moses
and one for Elijah.”
Suddenly a bright cloud enveloped them and out of the cloud they heard
the voice of God the Father: “This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well
pleased; listen to Him!” In great fear the disciples fell to the ground.
Christ came and touched them, and said: “Arise and do not be afraid.”
The disciples arose and saw Christ in His usual appearance. (Read the
Gospel reading for this Feast: Matthew 17:1-9)
On the Feast of Transfiguration, fruit is brought to our
Churches to be blessed for eating. Traditional practice includes
the blessing of grapes (a reminder that we must abide in the
True Vine, Jesus Christ).Local
customs also include other fruit. The blessing of grapes, as well as
other fruits and vegetables on this day is the most beautiful and
adequate sign of the final transfiguration of all things in Christ. It
signifies the ultimate flowering and fruitfulness of all creation in
God’s Paradise where all will be transformed by the glory of the Lord.
Below is the Prayer for the Blessing of Fruit:
Priest/Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: Lord, Our God and Master, You decreed that from the gifts that
You have given us, we are to offer You what is Yours. You reward those
who give of their perishable goods with eternal goods. You were pleased
to accept the widow’s mite. Be pleased to accept offerings also of us,
Your servants. Place them among Your everlasting treasures. Grant us an
abundance of earthly things along with all that is beneficial for our
well-being. Bless these fruits. Grant health of soul and body to all who
partake of them. For glorified is Your Kingdom and Blessed is Your Name,
of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and for ever
and ever. People: Amen.
Priest: These fruits are blessed and sanctified by the sprinkling of
this holy water in the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit
People: Amen.
You were transfigured on the Mountain, Christ, our God, revealing Your glory to Your Disciples insofar as they could bear it. With the intercessions of the Theotokos, let Your everlasting Light shine out also on us sinners, Giver of light; glory to You! -Troparion of the Feast
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