holiday date
Every year on August 19, communities in Russia commemorate the Apple Savior, the popular name for the Transfiguration of the Lord. This observance sits mid‑way through the Dormition Fast and ranks among the twelve principal holy days on the church calendar.
The Transfiguration story is told in the Bible. Luke recounts that Jesus went up Mount Tabor with Peter, James, and John to pray. As he prayed, his appearance changed, his clothing became radiant, and two prophetic figures, Moses and Elijah, appeared beside him. A voice from a cloud declared that Jesus is beloved, and instructed the disciples to listen to him. The moment marked the revelation of Christ’s divine glory to his closest followers.
Luke notes that the event occurred during Sukkot, a Jewish harvest festival during which tents were traditionally erected to recall the wilderness wanderings. When Moses and Elijah prepared to depart, Peter offered to set up three tents for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, to honor the moment.
Three tents were described: a theological tent for the Lord because he is God, a natural tent for Moses who wrote about creation, and an active tent for Elijah, identified accordingly as a zealous ascetic. The moment when it all became clear involved a cloud that enveloped the group, and a voice proclaimed the Son’s beloved status. After this, Jesus remained with his disciples, who kept silent about the vision for a time. This episode has come to symbolize the moment when Christ’s human and divine natures were shown together, a sign meant to reassure believers during difficult times and point towards the heavenly inheritance that awaits faithful followers.
In the church, this day has been tied to the blessing of fruit and harvests. August 19 is marked by clergy dressed in white, symbolizing the light that shone on Mount Tabor. The fruits of the season are blessed with holy water and prayers, and the faithful bring the harvest’s first offerings to temples. The practice hails from early Christian history when Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, established a temple on Mount Tabor in honor of the Transfiguration, helping the feast spread across the eastern church within a century. In some regions such as Greece, Cyprus, Serbia, and Israel, it remains common to bless ripe grapes and use them in the Eucharist. When grapes do not grow in abundance in Russia, apples are blessed and carried in remembrance of the harvest blessing, accompanied by a special prayer for the beginning of the fruit season.
how to celebrate the transfiguration of the lord
The Transfiguration falls at the heart of the Dormition Fast, encouraging believers to attend divine services and to go to confession. Clergy note that the high point of the celebration is communion, received through the liturgy as a symbol of unity with Christ. A common custom is to bring the season’s first fruits for blessing, with the understanding that the Savior is honored through gratitude for the harvest. The faithful often remember that the name Apple Savior stems from offerings of apples, grapes, and other fruits given to God in thanksgiving for bountiful crops.
Historical practice often included abstaining from certain fruits before the feast, then blessing the new crop and sharing the gifts with the needy. Seasonal fruits such as pears, plums, and peaches would be offered to the temple, with many households baking pies or pastries using lean dough as part of the celebration. The day emphasizes generosity toward the less fortunate, along with reflection on the divine gifts provided through creation.
For those unable to attend services, spiritual participation remains possible from afar. Modern parish life sometimes adapts with communication through phone calls, messaging apps, and other means, allowing individuals to request prayers for loved ones or to be remembered in temple prayers during the ceremony. This adaptation helps keep the communal spirit alive even when physical attendance is not feasible.
what not to do on apple savior day
The day invites a focus on love for God and neighbor. It is suggested that neglecting divine remembrance for any reason would undermine the day’s purpose. Believers are encouraged to show mercy and assist those in need, treating the occasion as an extra incentive to practice generosity and compassion. In many Orthodox communities, it is also customary to avoid quarrels, idle chatter, and heavy physical labor on this holy date.
Note: While traditions may vary by region, the core message remains consistent—honor the divine gift of life by strengthening faith, sharing the harvest, and extending care to others on this sacred day. .