Transfiguration of Our Lord - 8/6/26
On Thursday, August 6th, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ.
“What does it mean to say: He was transfigured?” asks the Golden-Mouthed Theologian (St. John Chrysostom). He says ‘It revealed something of His Divinity to them, as much and insofar as they were able to apprehend it, and it showed the indwelling of God within Him.’ The Evangelist Luke says: “And as He prayed, His countenance was altered” (Luke 9:29); and from the Evangelist Matthew we read: “And His face shone as the sun” (Mt.17:2). . . . [F]or those living and contemplating by the Spirit, is the same as the sun is for those living in the flesh and contemplating by the senses. Therefore, some other Light for the knowing the Divinity is not necessary for those who are enriched by Divine gifts.”
Readings for Thursday, August 6th:
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10
Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;
11
for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
12
For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth.
13
Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you,
14
knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me.
15
Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease.
16
For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.
17
For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
18
And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.
19
And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;
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1
Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves;
2
and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.
3
And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.
4
Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
5
While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”
6
And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid.
7
But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.”
8
When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.
9
Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.”
The Holy Scriptures are part of the Church’s Holy Tradition. Metropolitan Kallistos Ware of blessed memory wrote:
In the words of Father Alexander Schmemann, “A Christian is the one who, wherever he looks, finds everywhere Christ, and rejoices in Him.” This is true in particular of the biblical Christian. Wherever he looks, on every page, he finds everywhere Christ.
See Metropolitan Ware’s article How to Read the Bible for more on an Orthodox approach to scripture.