Orthodox icon | Transfiguration of Jesus | 24962

The Orthodox icon | Transfiguration of Jesus, or Transfiguration of the Lord, Transfiguration of Christ, or Transfiguration refers to a revelation event experienced by the disciples Peter, James, and John, when they saw Jesus Christ on a mountain in a special, transfigured form, together with the prophets Moses and Elijah. The faithful regard it as a profound mystery.

Christ, clad in a radiant white garment, assumes a central position: His transformation unfolded right before their eyes. His face emitted brilliance akin to the sun, and his garments gleamed as brightly as pure celestial light (Mt 17:2).

Jesus speaks with Moses (right) and Elijah (left).

Both also stand on a mountain: Moses on Mount Sinai, where he received the tablets of the law with the commandments for the people of Israel from God (see Ex 19; 20), and Elijah on Mount Horeb, where God revealed himself to him not in the storm, not in the earthquake, and not in the fire, but in a gentle, quiet whisper (see 1 Kings 19:11-13).

Moses and Elijah point to Jesus. In Him, the promise made to them is fulfilled. In His Son, Jesus Christ, God has completely and unreservedly declared himself. Christ is the fullness of God’s revelation. This is shown by the dark and largest mountain on which Christ stands.

Below: Saints Peter, James, and John.

In the liturgy of the Orthodox Church, the feast receives recognition as a major celebration. August 6 marks the date of this feast, which aligns with August 19 in the Old Calendar Orthodox Churches when following the Gregorian calendar.

Source: Orthodox icon | Transfiguration of Jesus | 24962 © Ikonen Mautner. Typing errors, other errors or changes reserved. For more information: “Das Synaxarion. Die Leben der Heiligen der Orthodoxen Kirche.” (http://www.prodromos-verlag.de/buecher.html) and Joachim Schäfer: Das Ökumenische Heiligenlexikon – https://www.heiligenlexikon.de