August 6, 2025
On August 6th, we commemorate the Transfiguration of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Taking Peter, James, and John to the heights of Mount Tabor, Jesus reveals His Glory to them, His face shining like the sun, flanked by Moses and Elijah. This is a moment in Christ’s ministry that holds great significance in the Orthodox Faith, even though it does not necessarily enjoy the same level of reverence in other Christian Confessions. Why is this event so significant, so much so that it is one of the Church’s 12 major feasts?
The Transfiguration is at the epicenter of Christ’s ministry to mankind. Right before this Transfiguration, Jesus has just told the disciples of His impending Crucifixion. So that they may truly understand who it is that will suffer these things on the Cross, Christ reveals His Divinity as far as the disciples can bear it. Not a mere man, but true God of true God. Moses and Elijah, who represent the Law and the Prophets, bear witness to the fulfillment of all Law and Prophecy: the Messiah. They stand and give glory to Glory Himself, representing the culmination of God’s Promise to His people – that He loves them so dearly that He has come and dwelt among them.
Armed with this understanding, the disciples (and therefore, us!) may now interpret the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ for what it really is: a triumph over Death by the very God who created us. The Transfiguration is thus an inflection point in the ministry of Jesus Christ, a point of encouragement and a revelatory witness to God’s saving plan for mankind.
Let the Lord’s everlasting light shine upon us!
