The Feast of Transfiguration in Syriac Orthodox Church.

The Feast of Transfiguration

Ancient Syriac icon

The Feast of Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ is a momentous celebration in the liturgical calendar of the Syrian Orthodox Church. Every year on August 6th the Holy Church commemorates this feast. This sacred occasion commemorates the awe-inspiring event described in the Gospels, where Jesus Christ revealed His divine glory before His disciples on Mount Tabor. The Feast of Transfiguration holds deep theological significance within the Syrian Orthodox tradition, emphasising Christ's complete divinity and humanity and symbolising the fulfilment of God's divine plan through Jesus.

The biblical account of the Transfiguration, as described in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, paints a vivid picture of this transformative event. Jesus' face shone like the sun, and His clothes became dazzling white as He conversed with the prophets Moses and Elijah. The voice of God proclaimed Jesus as His beloved Son, urging the disciples to listen to Him.

The Feast of Transfiguration holds a unique theological significance within the church tradition. It reveals that Jesus is not merely a prophet or a holy man but the incarnate God, embodying full divinity and humanity. The presence of Moses and Elijah alongside Jesus signifies His authority over the Old and New Covenants, as He is fulfilling God's plan and promises.

The teachings of the Syrian Orthodox Church fathers, particularly St. Ephrem the Syrian, shed light on the spiritual depth of the Transfiguration. St. Ephrem's hymns and homilies describe the event as a revelation of Christ's divine glory concealed behind His humble human form. The Transfiguration is depicted as a pivotal moment in the life of Christ, foreshadowing His ultimate victory over sin and death through His crucifixion and resurrection.

In the Syrian Orthodox Church, the Feast of Transfiguration is celebrated with great reverence and joy. The liturgical celebration on this day involves special prayers, hymns, and readings from the Gospels, centering around the themes of light, glory, and revelation. The Feast of Transfiguration holds several spiritual implications for the faithful within the Syriac tradition. It serves as a powerful reminder of Christ's divinity and transformative power in the lives of believers. Just as Jesus revealed His divine glory on Mount Tabor, the faithful are encouraged to seek and experience the presence of God in their lives through prayer and devotion.

This feast calls upon the faithful to prioritise Christ above all else, leaving behind worldly pursuits and embracing the teachings of Christ as the beloved Son of God. The Transfiguration teaches believers to find true joy and happiness by connecting with Christ, allowing His light to shine through them and impact the world around them.

The Feast of the Transfiguration carries profound spiritual lessons for all Christians. It signifies Jesus' journey from this world to become One with the Father in prayer and reveals His divine identity, which was concealed until His resurrection. The radiant glory the disciples (Peter, John & Jacob) witnessed on Mount Tabor is a powerful metaphor for our spiritual journey. It calls us to leave everything behind and be focused solely on Christ in prayer, seeking His transformative presence in our lives.

Moses, who was allowed to see a glimpse of God's glory, had his face filled with the glory of God, a glory that he covered out of humility (Exodus 33:18-23; 34:33). Similarly, Jesus, the Son of the Highest, experienced a complete transformation and was filled with the glory of the Father during the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:2; Luke 9:29). As believers when we are filled with the Spirit of God and His glory, we become the salt and light for the world, shining forth Christ's love and truth (Matthew 5:13-16; Luke 11:33-36).

The presence of Moses and Elijah with Jesus on the mountain holds more profound symbolism. Moses represents the Law, and Elijah represents the Prophets. Throughout His earthly life and ministry, our Lord Jesus points to the Law and the Prophets on many occasions. In the Gospel of St. Matthew, when asked about which was the greatest commandment, he taught us “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” Earlier, again in St.Matthew, as He taught us His new commandments in the Sermon on the Mount, he reminds us “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”. Lastly, in the Gospel of St. Luke, after His resurrection, He walks on the Emmaus Road with two disciples, who were still mourning and had not yet believed in the resurrection, and he admonishes them for their slowness of understanding saying “Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.”. The Feast of Transfiguration is an occasion for us to recall and meditate on and be transformed by these teachings of our Lord. 

Syriac Orthodox Icon

In conclusion, the Feast of Transfiguration is a profound occasion for the Syrian Orthodox Church and all Christians. It is a celebration of Christ's divine glory and His transformative power in the lives of believers. Through prayer, humility, and devotion, the faithful are called to seek Christ's presence and illumination in their lives. Celebrating this feast reminds them of Christ's eternal existence and His invitation to experience divine joy and transformation in their faith journey. The Feast of Transfiguration remains a profound occasion to grow in faith, devotion, and love toward the Lord Jesus Christ.