Transfiguration Sunday

Definition and Meaning

Transfiguration Sunday (Korean sansang byeonmo juil, literally "the Lord's Day of the change of appearance on the mountain") is the Sunday that commemorates the change in Jesus' appearance on the mountain. In Korean it is also called sansang byeonhwa juil or simply byeonhwa juil. On this day the church recalls the Transfiguration, in which Jesus revealed to his disciples the glory he possessed as the Son of God.

Protestant churches that follow the church calendar generally observe this day on the last Sunday of the Epiphany season. Epiphany is the season that commemorates the manifestation of Christ to the world. This Sunday therefore concludes Epiphany and serves as a bridge to Lent, which begins the following week. The observance emphasizes the movement from beholding Christ's glory to setting out on the way of the cross. White is commonly used as the liturgical color (the color used for pulpit hangings and other decorations according to the church calendar) on this Sunday.

Biblical and Historical Background

The Transfiguration is recorded in Matthew 17:1–8, Mark 9:2–8, and Luke 9:28–36, and 2 Peter 1:16–18 also recalls the event. Jesus took Peter, James, and John up a high mountain. There his face and clothing became radiant, and Moses and Elijah appeared and talked with him. Luke 9:31 records that they spoke of his decease "which he should accomplish at Jerusalem." A voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my beloved Son." Tradition has identified the mountain as Mount Tabor, though Scripture does not name it.

The Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church have long kept August 6 as the Feast of the Transfiguration. In the Western church, the feast is reported to have been made universal in the fifteenth century under Pope Callixtus III. In the Protestant church calendar, the practice of observing the last Sunday of Epiphany as Transfiguration Sunday spread widely in the late twentieth century through lectionaries (lists of Scripture readings appointed for each Sunday) shared by several denominations.

Practice in Korean Churches

• Denominations that use the church calendar and a lectionary, such as the Presbyterian Church of Korea (Tonghap), the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea, and the Korean Methodist Church, often mark Transfiguration Sunday in their denominational calendars and worship resources. The sermon on this day centers on the Transfiguration passages.
• The Anglican tradition, including the Anglican Church of Korea, also observes the Feast of the Transfiguration on August 6.
• The Catholic Church keeps August 6 as the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. It also reads the Transfiguration account on the Second Sunday of Lent.
• Denominations and congregations that place less emphasis on the church calendar often do not observe this day separately, although they may still preach on the Transfiguration passages as Lent approaches.