Today, August 6, we commemorate the great event of the Transfiguration of our Lord.
The reason for establishing this brilliant holiday is as follows:
Jesus Christ, speaking to his disciples about the dangers that would follow, betrayal, the Cross and death, revealed to them the willful passion, His death, and the Resurrection from the dead.
He also prepares them for what they themselves would later experience as imitators of His saving work, both by pagans and by the enemies of the Christian teaching over the centuries.
So, Christ took three of his disciples, Peter, James, and John, and they climbed to Mount Tabor. There He transformed and His face shone, and He appeared as light. Prophets Moses and Elias (Elijah) appeared with Christ the Savior, talking to Him.
The God-man took only these three disciples, Peter, James, and John, because Peter believed deeply in Christ, John loved him firmly and permanently, and James had the strength to be martyred later. He brought the prophets Moses and Elias to correct the impressions until then regarding who He was; was He Elias, John the Baptist, or one of the prophets?
The Holy Fathers set August 6 the day for the Transfiguration of the Savior, 40 days before the celebration of the Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross on September 14.
Today, fish are consumed because of the Transfiguration Feast.
By Bishop Gregorios of Mesaoria
Source: Church of Cyprus
