The word Transfiguration means a changing of appearance or form. In Christianity The Transfiguration is a miraculous event in the Synoptic Gospel accounts of Jesus (Matthew 17:1–6, Mark 9:1–8, Luke 9:28–36): Jesus led three of his apostles, Peter, John, and James, to pray at the top of a mountain, where he became transfigured, with his face shining like the sun, and with brilliant white clothes; Elijah and Moses appeared with Jesus, and talked with him, and then a bright cloud appeared overhead, and a voice from cloud proclaimed, "This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him." According to Luke, Moses and Elijah also appeared in "glorious splendor", and Jesus spoke with them concerning his upcoming death.
Moses and Elijah have been interpreted to represent the Law and the Prophets, respectively, recognizing and adoring Jesus, and speaking of how his upcoming death and resurrection would fulfill the Law and the Prophets.
Peter and John briefly allude to the event in their writings (II Peter 1:16–18, John 1:14).
According to tradition, the event took place on Mount Tabor.
Christian commemorations of the Transfiguration
In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Feast of the Transfiguration commemorates this event. It is one of the twelve Great Feasts in the liturgical year of the Eastern Orthodox Church and is observed by it on August 6. Traditionally, fruit is brought to church to be blessed on this day. The Transfiguration falls during the Dormition Lent, but fish, wine and oil are allowed to be consumed on this day in recognition of the feast.
(Information needed on Roman Catholic and Oriental Orthodox observance of the Transfiguration)
In Roman Catholic devotion, the Transfiguration is one of the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary.
Protestant churches observe Transfiguration Sunday on the last Sunday after the Epiphany (January 6), which places it somewhere in February or March.
Raphael's Transfiguration (see Transfiguration (Raphael))
The Transfiguration (1517–1520) is a painting depicting the event, by Raphael, completed posthumously by Giulio Romano. It is considered to be one of Raphael's greatest works. The painting unusually combines a portrayal of the Transfiguration itself in the upper part with a scene depicting the Apostles trying unsuccessfully to expel a demon from a possessed child. This juxtaposition has been interpreted as a symbolic representation of the concept of divine grace. The philosopher Nietzsche interpreted the painting in his book The Birth of Tragedy as an image of the conflict between Apollonian and Dionysian principles.
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