In Thy light shall we see light. O continue Thy mercy unto them that know thee (Psalm 35:1011).
The Lord led up on Mount Tabor the closest of His disciples those who were able to see the light of the Kingdom of Heaven: the Apostles Peter, John and James and revealed to them His Glory.
…the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment
was white and glistering. And behold, there talked with him two
men, which were Moses and Elias… Peter said unto Jesus, Master,
it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles;
one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing
what he said (Luke 9:2930, 33). But why "not
knowing"? Because flesh and blood cannot inherit the
kingdom of God… For this corruptible must put on incorruption,
and this mortal must put on immortality (I Corinthians 15:50,
53). The Saviour leads each man into the Kingdom along his own
path and illumines the way for each man; but the steepness and
the difficulty of the path, and the purity of heart are different
with everyone. Much did the holy Apostles see, and high did they
ascend onto the thrones of the judges of all the tribes
of Israel, of all the people of God. Desiring all men to be saved,
and to come unto the knowledge of the truth, the Lord lays the
burdens of the weak and sinful on the strong and pure. The Lord
made His way via Golgotha for the sake of our salvation
and following after Him, the beheaded Apostle James and
the crucified Apostle Peter entered into the Kingdom of Glory.
But the priest addresses everyone before receiving the Mysteries
of Christ: HOLY THINGS ARE FOR THE HOLY! because those
who have come to love the Light of God already have It in their
heart as the beginning of salvation; they strive for It more and
more and withdraw from the darkness of sin. And the Lord delights
everyone on this path with His love.
The feast of the Transfiguration is also called the "Apple [Feast of the] Saviour" Many of the faithful do not eat apples and other fruits before this day, in order to sanctify them in church as an image of participation in the celebration of the future transfiguration of all flesh, when there will be a new earth and a new heaven.
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