Mount Tabor, Israel, Transfiguration Church: description, history

Mention of this holy place can be foundin many sources of ancient literature. Mount Tabor is not only a magnificent landscape that adorns the Isdreloonian valley of Israel, but also a centuries-old history. It connects the most important events of different epochs. And it is hardly possible to overestimate the role that she played in the development of the spiritual history of the whole human race.

Where is

Mount Tabor, or, as they say in Hebrew, Tavor,It is located closer to the east of the central part of the Izdrela Valley, in Israel. Only nine kilometers to the south-east of it is Nazareth, and two times farther to the westward stretches of the Sea of ​​Galilee.

Mount Tabor does not belong to any mountain rangeor ridge, but is a stand-alone hill. In comparison with others it is rather low - 588 meters. The slopes here are gentle, and the shape has soft and slightly rounded outlines. Therefore, in many sources the Hebrew name Tavor is translated as "navel", drawing an analogy with the human organ.

What does the name mean?

Historians give several versions. The name Tavor, or, as they say in the Russian-speaking tradition, Tabor, is not translated and given in the Old Testament in the same way. However, there is a version that says that the name Tavor is derived from the word "Tabur". The latter is translated as "navel". In support of this version, the characteristic external features of a separately standing, with gentle slopes and a somewhat concave apex, which is Mount Tabor, lead.

There is another option. Its author is Teresa Petrozi. She claims that the modern name is derived from the name of the pagan deity Tabor, who in these places patronized blacksmithing in the pre-Jewish (Canaanite) times. And the traces of paganism found by archaeologists of this period in some way confirm the assumption.

Stories associated with Mount Tabor

For the first time this name occurs in the Old Testament. In those days Mount Tabor was a border, a kind of watershed, dividing the three tribes of Israel. Favorable geographical location, a good overview of the adjacent territories made this place desirable for any tribe. Therefore, the wars did not stop here.

Particularly striking is the story of the battle of Varakand the Asor commander of Sisera, who led the army of King Jabin. A special role in the battle was played by the prophetess Deborah, who spurred Varak to fight with Sisara, foreseeing his victory over the numerous army of the latter. The name of this prophetess is immortalized in the name of the village of Debury, stretched at the foot. There, where the mountain Tabor originates.

Mentions in the Old Testament

The fact that this is a special place, was said back in ancient times - before the birth of Christ. The first time about Tabor says that this is a special place where the lands of the three tribes of Israel came together.

You can also find other references thatremained in the books of the Old Testament: Joshua, the prophesies of Jeremiah. Long ago, if we talked about the importance, importance of man, we compared it with how Mt. Tabor rises majestically.

Israel today is a modern state, but, despite this, carefully and reverently keeps its history, which became the property of all mankind.

What did the New Testament testify?

As is known from ancient Christian Tradition,It is Mount Tabor that is considered to be the place where a great miracle happened - the Transfiguration of the Lord. However, in the New Testament there is no mention of Mount Tabor. The place where the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ took place is not exactly called. Mark and Matthew in their Gospels mention a mountain high, but that this is Tabor, they do not give any evidence.

Therefore, to this day, some researchers of theology have expressed their doubts about the fact that the Transfiguration took place here. The more likely version they consider Mount Hermon.

Perhaps there is one of those mysteries that surround the Bible. And, probably, the whole point of it is hidden in the fact that people must believe the Word of God without demanding any evidence.

Transformation of the Lord

A lot has been said about this miracle. Matthew, Mark and Luke in the Gospels narrate about this. The Transfiguration of the Lord is shown by ancient icons and frescoes of temples, beautiful paintings and wonderful stories. This event is glorified by a glorious joyful holiday, which marks the entire Christian world on August 19 (6).

The Transfiguration of the Lord on Mount Tabor all threeThe evangelist is associated with events that occurred six days before him. It was then that Jesus Christ told his disciples about the suffering that he has to go through. What a difficult fate awaits the followers who took upon himself his cross. The fact that the Kingdom of God will soon be revealed.

Jesus took with him to the mountain three of his ownfaithful and intimate disciples who were close at the most difficult and crucial moments of his life: Peter, James and John. Having ascended to the high slopes, the apostles, tired of lifting, lay down to rest. Jesus on Mount Tabor began to pray. His radiant, radiant face was like the sun, and the clothes were transformed. Here each of the evangelists describes in their own way: Luke sees them shining, Mark - white as snow, and Matthew says that they became like light. Also, probably, the opinions of those who saw the miracle of the apostles who did not believe in their eyes could be diverged.

Christ on Mount Tabor, appearing to the disciples in hisheavenly glory, was conversing with two strangers, who were prophets: Moses and Elijah. The speech between them was about the outcome that awaits Jesus in the near future.

Why exactly these prophets appeared - exactNo answer. But it is known that many of the Jews revered Jesus for Elijah. Apparently, the phenomenon of the latter was to show all the absurdity of the assumptions of the Israelis. And the conversation of Jesus Christ with the most revered among the Jewish prophets became another eloquent confirmation that he is the son of God, to whom everything is subject.

The apostles, who saw all this, felt a wonderfulpresence of Divine grace, embraced an irresistible desire not to leave Mount Tabor. Therefore, Peter invited everyone to stay here: to build dwellings and not to return to where rancor, envy and hatred, threatening the life of their teacher, reign.

Cloud over Mount Tabor

This is a wonderful commemoration of the nature of the PreobrazheniyeJesus. The first time the cloud is spoken of in the Gospels, describing the details of this wonderful event. The bright cloud that enveloped everyone on the mountain was a clear indication that God is present. The voice, suddenly heard and said that Jesus is the son of God, to be listened to, led the apostles to the utmost fright. They fell to the ground and were afraid to raise their eyes to heaven.

Such an unusual phenomenon, confirmingthe reality of those events, occurs in modern times. On the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord in the sky over Tabor there is a cloud. An interesting fact is that it arises exclusively in the Orthodox holiday of the Transfiguration and covers not only the top of the mountain, but also people. It is difficult to find a natural explanation for this wonderful phenomenon, because at this time of the year the clouds here are very rare.

What is the meaning of the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ?

The search for the deepest meaning implicit in thisthe most wonderful event, has become for many Christians the meaning of life. After all, life in Jesus Christ is impossible without the Transfiguration: without the sacrament of Baptism, without confession, which brings repentance, without the Eucharist, which connects man to the Lord.

The Transfiguration itself is the path that a person who believes in the Savior and that the new transformed state is possible only in union with the Lord must pass through.

Transformation marks a change,What is happening in a man who tries to get away from his former, sinful and weak beginning. And strives for a new, which is strongly God's grace, pure and righteous.

Events after the Transfiguration

Honoring Mount Tabor as a place of TransfigurationJesus was placed by the Equal-to-the-Apostles queen, whom the people called St. Helen. In the fourth century she built a temple here, dedicated to the witnesses of the Transfiguration: Peter, Jonahanna and Jacob.

Later, already in the XII century, here come the Latinmonks. At the end of this century, a tragic war is taking place, as a result of which churches are destroyed, and the mountain itself becomes uninhabited. Only on a holiday it is visited by Christians to perform a divine service here.

And only from the end of the 19th century the slopes of Tabor beginattract the attention of Catholics and Orthodox. Already at that time, the differences between them became more pronounced. This gave rise to controversy about where the true place of the Transfiguration of Christ is. Therefore, today on Mount Favor there are two churches: the Catholic and the Orthodox.

Catholic temple

Appeared here at the end of the XIX century. It was located on the territory where in the 13th century there was a fortress built by Muslims. Also here are the ruins of a temple of Latin monks, the ruins of a Byzantine monastery and other sacred places that Mount Tabor hides. The Temple of Transfiguration is the greatest architectural find of Antonio Barluzzi.

The artist created here stunning with its beautybasilica. It bears the name of a wonderful event - the Transfiguration of the Lord. The road leading to the temple reveals to the pilgrims ancient ruins - evidence of past eras, which Mount Tabor has preserved to our days.

The Transfiguration Church has two towers that divideentrance to the basilica in two parts and located above the ancient chapels. One name of the prophet Moses, and the second - of Elijah. From this place begins the huge building of the temple, leading to the main place - the altar. Here the parishioners are led down the marble steps, which open the oldest place - the ruins of the earlier found Byzantine basilica.

Orthodox monastery

In addition to the Catholic, there is another temple on Mount Tabor - Orthodox. It is a Greek monastery, which also carries the name of the Transfiguration of the Lord and is located northeast.

His story begins with the appearance here inmid-19th century, Archimandrite Irynaha - monk of Laura, who settled on Mount Tabor after he had a vision of this place. After discovering the remains of the ancient Byzantine church, Irenakh and Nestor's assistant began to restore it. But we did not succeed in bringing the work to completion. At age 93 Irina died and was buried in these places. Finally, in 1862, the temple was completed and consecrated.

Today there are three thrones in it, each of themdedicated to saints and events. The main, central, is named so in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord. It is here that the miraculous image of the Mother of God is located. This icon, called "Akathist", is famous for its healing effect on people. The Southern throne carries the names of the prophets of Moses and Elijah. And the northern one is St. Gregory the Victorious and Dmitry Solunsky.

The construction was continued in 1911. Here was erected a bell tower.

Also the property of the Orthodox church is the cave shrine - the ancient temple of Melchizedek.

Favors today

Ancient history has left its imprint on this wonderful place: it is always full of pilgrims, tourists who want to approach the miraculous Divine Transfiguration.

Visiting these places gives an opportunity to feelhere the presence of God, touch the ancient walls of the temple. It is interesting not only to read, but also to see with your own eyes that mysterious cloud covering this sacred place, which since ancient times is called Mount Tabor. Israel holds sacredly all the shrines gathered here, and respects all the religions that are represented in these wonderful places.