August 19 Eastern Christians celebrate Transfiguration Feast

Eastern Christians celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration. Tranfiguration is ranked as one of the Twelve Great Feasts of the Orthodox liturgical calendar.

About a week after His sojourn in Cæsarea Philippi, Jesus took with him Holy Apostles Peter, James and John and led them to a high mountain apart, where He was transfigured before their eyes.

In Ukraine, this holiday is also called the second savior feast or Apple Savior (Yabluchnyi Spas) (Honey Savior was celebrated before).

Besides apples, on this day faithful bring to church other fruits and crops: peas, potatoes, cucumbers, rye, barley, etc. Blessing of grapes and various fruits and vegetables on this day symbolizes prosperity and fertility of all creation in eternal life. For peasants this holiday symbolizes the end of harvest and end of summer.

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.

Transfiguration is connected with Jewish feast Sukkot (Feast of Booths, Feast of Tabernacles).