Transfiguration of the Lord: the meaning of the holiday and the boundary between summer and autumn

On August 6, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church marks the Transfiguration of the Lord – one of the twelve great feasts in the church calendar, dedicated to the manifestation of the divine glory of Jesus Christ before three of his disciples.

According to the Gospel, on this day Christ climbs Mount Tabor together with the apostles Peter, John, and James. During prayer, his face is illuminated by light, and his clothes become radiantly white. Thus, before his disciples, he reveals His divine nature. At the same moment, the Old Testament prophets Moses and Elijah appear beside Him, and from heaven the voice of God resounds: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; listen to Him."

For Christians, the Transfiguration is a testament to the divine essence of Jesus Christ and a symbol of man's spiritual renewal – a reminder that change for the better is possible and that suffering is not the final end, but a path to salvation and eternal life.

In folk beliefs, the Transfiguration of the Lord marks the transition between summer and autumn. It is believed that after this day, the nights begin to get cooler, the water in rivers and lakes gradually cools down, and nature prepares for the arrival of autumn. In tradition, the holiday is also known as a time when the weather "is transformed" – from hot and mature summer to more moderate and cool days.

Tradition dictates that on the holiday, the first ripe fruits are brought to the temples – most often grapes, apples, pears, and other seasonal fruits. After being blessed during the service, they are distributed for health and blessing. In many regions, people believe that the fruits from the new harvest should be tasted for the first time only after they have been blessed on the Transfiguration, as a sign of gratitude to God for His gifts.