Here’s how our learning box for Transfiguration turned out.  It contains:

*  Hilary’s rendition of Peter, James & John (she swears she can tell the difference!)

*  Icons of Moses and Elijah

*  Hilary’s clay version of Mt. Tabor

*  A cloud with the words: “This is my Beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased”

*  A ray of light

*  The troparion for the Feast:

“You were Transfigured on the Mount, O Christ our God,

Revealing Your Glory to Your Disciples,

As much as they were able to bear.

Let Your everlasting Light, shine on us sinners,

Through the intercessions of the Birthgiver of God,

O Giver of Light, Glory to You!”

Instead of painting the box this time, I decoupaged it with tissue paper.  I love the leathery effect it gave the finish.

As is our custom, we went on pilgrimage to the Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration in Ellwood City, PA to celebrate their feast day.  The weather was perfect—not blazing hot like it has been this summer.  As we drove east to Pennsylvania early in the morning, we repeatedly saw the sun shining down through the clouds in shifting columns of heavenly light.  I instantly thought of the line from the Akathist Glory to God for All Things: “Why is it that on a Feast Day the whole of nature mysteriously smiles?”  Yes, the earth was smiling and bathed in the Light of Christ.

The Liturgy was beautiful, and we stayed on into the afternoon for the service of Holy Unction.  I adore Unction at the monastery with so many priests.  Seeing the faithful scurry in every direction to kneel in front of the closest priest as the Gospels are read touches my heart.  We all need healing…even if it isn’t obvious.  Healing of body and soul.  To humble ourselves and fall to the ground before God in unity…magnificent!

I love Transfiguration.  The darkness is everywhere.  Sometimes there seems to be no light.  But there is always Light.  We, too, can be transfigured by the Light of God.  Shining in heavenly rays…blinding, brilliant, warm, glowing, and true.  O Lord, let us receive light from Your Light!