Feast of the Transfiguration in the Holy Land

On the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, a group of nuns of the Mount of Olives and Gethsemane Convents, together with pilgrims (a group from the USA headed by Bishop Peter of Cleveland), in all about 120 people, traveled to Mount Tabor. Several of the nuns had gone ahead on the previous day to take part in the vigil service. On Tabor there was a large crowd of people, and the faithful received Communion from several chalices. During the Liturgy, a vast cloud formed, and eyewitnesses related that the Holy Fire appeared with the cloud in the form of lightning.

When the nuns and pilgrims arrived at Tabor, the Liturgy had only just ended. It had been served by His Beatitude, Patriarch Eirineos himself. The Russian pilgrims received the Patriarch’s blessing to serve great vespers in the church (photo above). In the past, Archimandrite Hilarion had always given his permission for this serving of vespers. Several years ago, everyone (including women) was still allowed to enter the sanctuary on this day to venerate the stone behind the altar-table--the site of the Transfiguration. But now they have removed a portion of this stone and set it in a case on an analogion in the church.

Father Hilarion has always received the Russian clergy, nuns and pilgrims very hospitably, inviting everyone to a meal. We, however, always try not to linger, so as to reach the Sea of Galilee and Capernaum (and the even more hospitable Fr. Irenarchus) as soon as possible. In Capernaum, after praying in the Church of the Twelve Apostles, we shared a friendly meal together. After lunch, Fr. Irenarchus allowed all who wished it to refresh themselves in the water, although the water temperature was somewhat warm. We were very happy that the water level had risen appreciably.

Refectory in Capernaum

Monk Philaret (former attendant of the ever-memorable Archimandrite Nectarius) refreshes himself in the Sea of Galilee

All who took part in the pilgrimage receive great spiritual consolation. Unfortunately, on the return trip, when we were already approaching the Mount of Olives, we learned that a horrible act of terrorism had been perpetrated in Jerusalem. The militia began to verify everyone’s reasons for traveling to the city, and this was done several times. We returned to the city very late, and thanked the Lord for His great mercy in allowing our trip to be made without incident.

Abbess Moissea
Mount of Olives