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The Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ

© Linda Campbell

The Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ, on August 6th, is one of the major festivals of the Eastern orthodox churches. It is a remembrance of the time when Jesus revealed himself, in shining splendour and accompanied by Moses and Elijah, to Peter, James and John.

It has been celebrated in the East since the fourth century. According to ‘The Catholic Encyclopedia’, the Armenian Bishop Gregory Arsharuni (c.690 AD) stated that the Feast of the Transfiguration originated with St Gregory the Illuminator (also Armenian, circa 257 –337) who substituted it for a pagan festival of Aphrodite. This festival was called ‘Vartavarh’ meaning ‘Roseflame’. However the feast is not mentioned in ancient ritual calendars printed in Armenia. It is possible that the Festival of the Transfiguration originated somewhere in the highlands of Asia to replace some lesser pagan ritual.

In the West, the Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ was observed by some monastic orders in the ninth century. It is first mentioned in the ‘Martyrology of Wandelbert’ (c. 850 AD) and appears in the liturgies of many dioceses in the tenth century, although it was celebrated on different dates. In England and in Gaul the Feast of the Transfiguration was celebrated on 27th July, in Meissen on 17th March and in Halberstadt on 3rd September. Most other places celebrated it on August 6th.

In 1456 Pope Callistus III ordained that it be observed generally, in memory of the victory gained by Hunyady at Belgrade against the Turks on August 6th. On this day the Pope uses new wine at Mass or presses a bunch of ripe grapes into the chalice.

In the Armenian church, this is a three day festival, preceded by a six day fast, while in the Syriac and Greek churches, it is an important feast day. In some Western churches, it is observed on the Sunday before Lent.

Relevant Links:

The Catholic Encyclopedia