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LBK
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« Reply #2 on: May 27, 2012, 10:17:58 AM » |
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Let me add another question, because I liked your original one, how was Moses present during the Transfiguration when he was dead but it makes sense to have Elijah since he was assumed.
The hymnography of the Transfiguration elaborates on the presence of Moses and Elijah on Mount Tabor. Here are some relevant selections from Vespers and Matins: When You were transfigured, O Savior, on a high mountain, having the chief disciples with You, You shone forth in glorious majesty, proof that those who excel in the height of their virtues shall be counted worthy of the divine glory. Talking with Christ, Moses and Elijah showed that He is Lord of both the living and the dead, the God who spoke of old through the law and the prophets. And from the cloud of light the voice of the Father testified to Him: Hear Him, who through His cross harrows hell and gives the dead eternal life.
Christ, the Light that shone before the sun, who in the body went about the earth, having fulfilled before His Crucifixion, as befitted His divine majesty, all things pertaining to His fearful dispensation, this day has mystically manifest the image of the Trinity upon Mount Tabor. For taking the three disciples He had expressly chosen, Peter, James, and John, He led them up into the mountain; and for a short time He concealed the flesh He had assumed, and was transfigured before them, making manifest the excellence of the original beauty, though not in its full perfection. For while giving them full assurance He also spared them, lest at the sight they should lose their lives: yet they saw as much as their bodily eyes were able to receive. He likewise called before Him the chief prophets Moses and Elijah, who testified to His divinity, that He is indeed the true brightness of the essence of the Father, the Ruler of the living and the dead. Therefore a cloud wrapped them like a tent; and out of the cloud from above loudly sounded the voice of the Father, testifying and saying: This is my beloved Son, whom I have begotten without change from the womb before the morning star: Him have I sent to save those who are baptized in the name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and who confess with faith that the One Power of the Godhead is indivisible. Listen to Him. And, O Christ our God, supreme in goodness, who loves mankind, shine upon us with the light of Your unapproachable glory and make us worthy to inherit Your never-ending Kingdom.
Moses who saw God, and Elijah who rode in the chariot of fire, passing across the heavens unconsumed, beheld You in the cloud at Your Transfiguration, O Christ, and they testified that You are the maker and the fulfillment of the Law and the prophets. With them, count us also worthy of Your light, O Master, that we may sing Your praises to all ages.
The Glory that once overshadowed the tabernacle and spoke with Your servant Moses, O Master, was a figure of Your Transfiguration that ineffably shone forth like lightning upon Tabor.
Because You are Master of heaven and Lord of the earth, and rule over the things under the earth, there stood beside You, O Christ, the apostles from the earth, and Elijah the Tishbite as if from heaven, and Moses from the dead, singing with one accord: O you people, exalt Christ above all forever.
You who from all eternity is God the Word, who clothes Yourself with light as with a garment, You were transfigured before Your disciples, shining more brightly than the sun. Moses and Elijah stood by Your side, showing that You are Lord both of the dead and of the living. They glorified Your ineffable dispensation, Your compassion, and Your great condescension, whereby You have saved the world wholly lost in sin.
The OT readings for Vespers are Exodus 24: 12-18; Exodus 33:11-23; 34:4-6, 8; and 3 Kings 19:3-9; 11-13; 15-16. |
