The Feast of Change in the Divine Appearance of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Metamorphosis), which is celebrated on 6 August every year during the Fasting Period of the Virgin Mary, was celebrated with rituals held in Antakya and Altınözü/Sarılar. Sacred Rites were performed in accordance with the rules of the pandemic.
While prayers were held at the Saints Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church in Antakya and at the Saint George Greek Orthodox Church in Altınözü/Sarılar, the Grape Blessing, which is a special tradition for the holiday, was also performed. Grapes consecrated during Holy Mass were then distributed to members of the congregation.
The change in the appearance (metamorphosis) of Christ is one of the major holidays of the Orthodox Church and is celebrated on August 6. The changing of the appearance of Christ to a glorious brilliance shows the deity of Christ.
So much so that after Christ’s ascension, his disciples would be able to understand that He was the radiant glory of God the Father and that He willingly accepted death in suffering. Metamorphosis also points to our possibility of fusion (theosis) with God.
Grape Harvest Begins on August 6
Metamorphosis event is a revelation event in Christianity. According to the Gospels, Jesus Christ met the prophets Moses and Elijah in a special and idealized form on a mountain where he climbed with his 3 apostles. The change in the appearance of Jesus is one of the important issues in Christian art.
According to some traditions, for example in Greece and Romania, the harvest season traditionally begins with the Feast of Metamorphosis. Especially grapes are eaten as of August 6th. In some Church communities, the first grape of the harvest is consecrated and brought to the Church to be distributed to the believers on the feast day.
