38- THE TRANSFIGURATION OF CHRIST
		
		
		The Feast of the Transfiguration takes its origins from 
		the celebration of the Gospel event. Jesus leads His 
		Disciples up the mountain. "He was transfigured before 
		their eyes. His face became dazzling as the sun, His 
		clothes as radiant as light." (Mt. 17: 2) In this light 
		we see Christ. "This is My beloved Son, on Whom My favor 
		rests. Listen to Him." (Mt. 17: 5) 
		
		
		The Icon of the Transfiguration portrays Christ surrounded
		by the glorious light of His divinity and clothed in the 
		same garments in which He is depicted in all 
		representations of the Resurrection. To His left is 
		Moses, holding the Tablets of the Law, while to His 
		right is shown the Prophet Elias. St. John Chrysostom 
		offers various reasons for the appearance of these 
		particular Old Testament figures at the Transfiguration. 
		They represent the Law and the Prophets. Both had visions 
		of God. Moses represents the dead while Elias, having 
		been carried up to heaven in a chariot of fire, 
		represents the living over whom -both the living and 
		the dead- Christ reigns in glory. 
		
		
		The Apostles Peter, James, and John are in the lower 
		portion of the Icon. These are the same three who would 
		appear in Gethsemene with Christ; they were being prepared 
		for the Passion, which they still were not able to 
		comprehend. The Apostles' position in the Icon vary 
		throughout history. Beginning with the eleventh century, 
		however, St. Peter, shown to the left, is represented as 
		kneeling, supported on his right hand, raising his left 
		hand to shield his eyes from the light. St. John, always 
		in the center, is depicted as fallen, his back turned to 
		the light and his sandal having fallen from his foot. St. 
		James, to the right, is portrayed as fleeing from the 
		light. 
		
		
		Christ appeared to the Apostles not in the form of man 
		as the "suffering servant" but, rather, in the form of 
		God. "For taking apart the three Disciples He has 
		expressly chosen He led them up into the mountain by 
		themselves; and for a short time He concealed the flesh 
		He had assumed, and was transfigured before them." 
		(Vesper Hymn) 
		
		The Feast of the Transfiguration celebrates the divinity 
		of Christ and the divinization of man. It gives us a 
		glimpse into Christ's divine person, and sets us afire 
		with divine light. 
		
		
		
		TROPARION -You were transfigured on the mountain, O 
		Christ God, revealing as much of Your glory to Your 
		Disciples as they could behold. Through the prayers of 
		the Mother of God let Your everlasting light shine also 
		upon us sinners. O Giver of Light, glory be to You!
		

		The end is not here yet
		
		
		Fear, lack of confidence and low self - esteem tends to make 
		us jump to conclusions. If what we are facing is near to our 
		hearts, we have a tendency to expect the worst. We miss so 
		much, including opportunities to change, when we jump to the 
		end from the middle. We forget our focus and the goal when we 
		poise ourselves for failure. The ancient Indians knew that no 
		matter what was going to happen, it would not happen until it 
		happened. Therefore, they were prepared for all possibilities, 
		the good and the bad. Do not pull our in the middle, that is a 
		total waste of time. Keep your faith, trust and stay focused, 
		put your best foot our anyway. The ancient ones had faith and 
		trusted, knowing the end is only a reflection of the beginning.
		
		
		Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.
		

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