Description
From the 6th century Church of the Transfiguration, in St. Catherine’s Monastery at the base of Mount Sinai in Egypt at the site of the Burning Bush, comes this ancient and magnificent mosaic 6th century icon of the Transfiguration of the Lord on Mount Tabor before His Disciples Peter, James, and John. Set in the curved apse over the altar table, the gold and bright colored mosaic stones glimmer with reflected light in this Byzantine treasure.
The Lord is clothed in white robes and has rays of Divine Glory emanating outward from Him as the Disciples fall down, overcome by fear and trembling, wonder, and amazement. The Prophet Elias (Elijah) is seen at Christ’s right hand, and the Prophet Moses is seen at His left hand, with St. John kneeling below St. Elias. St. James is kneeling below St. Moses, and St. Peter is directly below Christ’s feet. Christ mostly hid His brilliant Glory as God behind the plainness of His humanity, except for a few remarkable times while here on Earth. The Holy Transfiguration was one of those remarkable times. We, too, need to be transfigured in Christ from sinful humanity to the Divine Likeness.