Great Feast

Transfiguration

The Transfiguration of the Lord

Icon: Transfiguration
Transfiguration by Feofan Grek from Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral in Pereslavl-Zalessky (15th c, Tretyakov gallery) · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

When: August 6 (Old Calendar: 13 days later on the civil calendar).

Christ took Peter, James and John up a high mountain, traditionally Mount Tabor, and was transfigured before them: His face shone like the sun and His garments became white as light. Moses and Elijah appeared, speaking with Him, and the Father’s voice declared Him His beloved Son (Matthew 17).

The feast shows the divine glory hidden in Christ and the glory to which humanity is called. It falls during the Dormition Fast, when fish is allowed.

Grapes and other fruit are traditionally brought to church to be blessed on this day.

Written for this app in our own words from the Gospels and long-standing Church tradition. All Great Feasts & Holy Week · Calendar