MOSCOW, August 19 (RIA Novosti) - The head of the Russian Orthodox Church on Wednesday called for people to change themselves for the better in Moscow's Christ the Savior Cathedral as Russia celebrates the Transfiguration of Christ.
"... Man is called upon... to transfigure himself and the surrounding world in the fashion of the Kingdom of God," Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia told worshippers.
The Transfiguration is one of the twelve great Christian feasts and a central event in the Gospels, when Jesus brought three apostles - Peter, James and John to Mount Tabor in Galilee and his glory was revealed to them.
Orthodox church services throughout Russia commemorate the event, which is described in Matthew's Gospel like: "And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light." (Matthew 17:2)."
Theologians say Jesus changed his form before his disciples to strengthen their faith.
The feast of Transfiguration is also commonly called Yablochny Spas (Apple Savior) in Russia and some other former Soviet states when, in a sign of the transfiguration, apples, grapes and other fruit are blessed.
In the West, Christians mark the feast on August 6.
