The meaning of the feast
The Transfiguration of the Lord is celebrated on 6 August every year and is one of the twelve great church feasts. It commemorates the event described in the Gospel when Christ revealed His divine glory to three of His disciples.
According to the Gospel account, Christ climbed Mount Tabor with Peter, James and John. He was transfigured before them: His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became white as light. The prophets Moses and Elijah appeared beside Him.
The event showed the disciples Christ’s divine glory shortly before His suffering. Its significance lies in the strengthening of their faith through what they witnessed on the mountain.
Grapes and fasting traditions
In Bulgaria, the feast is traditionally associated with the blessing of the first grapes and other summer fruits. Worshippers bring the fruit to church and, after the service, share it with others with wishes for good health. In the folk calendar, the feast marks the point from which the new grapes may be eaten.
The Transfiguration falls during the Dormition Fast, the fasting period associated with the Mother of God. Fish is nevertheless permitted in honour of the feast.
The holiday also gave its name to the Preobrazhenie Uprising in Strandzha in 1903. Preobrazhenie is the Bulgarian word for Transfiguration.
Public holiday status
The Transfiguration of the Lord is not a public holiday: it is a normal working day in Bulgaria. Its observance is a church celebration rather than a day off.