Transfiguration

[madill]

Any ideas for transfiguration? We are going with a dramatic altar arrangement...ideas such white fabric representing a cloud and various candles to represent the disciples and a large one representing Jesus. Days of Elijah will be the opening song. Still a work in progress...

[Maverich]

In the Slavic Byzantine Catholic and Orthodox Churches, the Feast of the Transfiguration is characterized by white (or "bright) vestments for the priest and altar to reflect the bright, blinding light of the Transfiguration of our Lord on Mt. Tabor. As part of our tradition, we also have a blessing of the first fruits of the harvest (principally apples and grapes, but any produce will suffice). This blessing is to remind us of our Lord's final journey to Jerusalem where he will become the Firstborn (first fruits) of the Dead. The fruit is then shared after Divine Liturgy during our social hour.

Just a bit of history... one would think that this observance would fall sometime right before or during the Great Fast (Lent) as this Gospel account falls just prior to the Entry into Jerusalem/Crucifixion/Resurrection accounts. In the early Church it was decided not to have any major feasts (save the Annunciation/Feast of the Incarnation) fall within the lenten time. So the observance of this feast was placed 40 days prior to our Feast of the Holy and Life-Giving Cross on September 14.

And speaking of the Holy Prophet Elijah (Elias), on his day of commemoration (July 18 or the nearest Sunday, Byzantine Catholics bless wheeled vehicles (cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, wheelchairs, etc.) to remind us of his ascent into heaven in a "chariot of fire." As the Lord sent a chariot from heaven to carry the Holy Prophet Elias to heaven, as recorded in 2 Kings, so does our means of transportation carry us to glorify God at the Liturgical celebration and provide opportunities to assist our neighbor.