One of the most important holidays in the Orthodox calendar - the Transfiguration of the Lord - this year falls on August 6. It was on this day that the believers remember the event when Jesus Christ showed his divine essence to the apostles. It is not just a memory of a biblical miracle, but a day that forms spiritual guidelines and coincides with folk apple saving.
Evangelists Matthew, Luke and Marco describe how Jesus took with him three disciples - Peter, Jacob and John - and rose uphill. During the prayer, the teacher's appearance changed - his face shone, and his clothes became white, like light. Suddenly, the prophets of Moses and Elijah appeared next to him. This was the moment of the Transfiguration - the appearance of Christ as the Son of God in glory.
The Bible does not name the exact scene. Some ecclesiastical traditions point to Mount Favor in Galileo, others to the majestic Ermona. But the main thing in this is not geography, but the essence: Jesus showed the disciples that he is not just a prophet or teacher, but a god who was embodied in man.
Apples, Salvation and Sanctration
In Ukraine, the Transfiguration has traditionally coincided with apple saving. The temples of this day are the consecration of fruits - apples, pears, grapes, as well as herbs and flowers. Believers carry baking in baskets, but meat and alcohol cannot be brought to the church - it is a categorical ban.
In the church calendar, the Transfiguration is one of the twelve holidays. It occurs during the Assumption Station (from August 1 to August 14), so the festive table should be lean. But apples are already allowed. According to the folk tradition, it is after the transformation that they can be eaten for the first time in a year.
What is not worth doing
As with any great church holiday, it is forbidden to quarrel, vague, work physically or repair or needlework on the day of the Transfiguration. The day should be devoted to prayer, silence, peace and, if possible, visit the temple.
It is forbidden to consume alcohol and meat dishes - not only through fasting, but also because the holiday belongs to the category of spiritually sublime. It is also not recommended to arrange entertainment, parties and loud feasts.
This is the day when you should mention the internal transformation - a change in the gaze of yourself, to your neighbor and to life. In the silence of prayers, among the smell of apples and church bells, everyone can see - if not light on the mountain, at least a benchmark on their own way.
