The
Feast of the Transfiguration of
Jesus is celebrated by various Christian denominations. The origins of the feast are less than certain and may have derived from the dedication of three basilicas on
Mount Tabor.
Festival icons for the Christian year by John Baggley 2000 ISBN 0264674871 pages 58-60
In the
Syriac Orthodox,
Indian Orthodox,
Revised Julian Calendars within
Eastern Orthodoxy,
Roman Catholic, and
Anglican churches, the Feast of the Transfiguration is observed on 6 August. In those Orthodox churches which continue to follow the
Julian Calendar, August 6 falls on August 19 of the
Gregorian Calendar. Transfiguration is considered a major feast, numbered among the twelve
Great Feasts in Orthodoxy. In all these churches, if the feast falls on a Sunday, its liturgy is not combined with the Sunday liturgy, but completely replaces it.
In some
liturgical calendars (e.g. the
Lutheran and
United Methodist) the last Sunday in the
Epiphany season (that immediately preceding
Ash Wednesday) is also devoted to this event. In the
Church of Sweden and the
Church of Finland, however, the Feast is celebrated on the seventh Sunday after
Trinity, the eighth Sunday after Pentecost.
Eastern Orthodox
In the
Eastern Orthodox Church, the Transfiguration falls during the
Dormition Fast, but in recognition of the feast the fast is relaxed somewhat and the consumption of fish, wine and oil is allowed on this day.
In the Orthodox view the Transfiguration...
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