Metr. Saba: Transfiguration Reveals Humanity's True Glory

ENGLEWOOD, NJ — Metr. Saba describes the Feast of the Transfiguration as a celebration of humanity's ultimate calling: sharing in the divine glory for which mankind was created. He writes that the feast reveals not only Christ's glory, but also the restored beauty and holiness God intends for every person.

According to Metr. Saba, humanity's desire for glory reflects a God-given longing that cannot be satisfied by worldly success, recognition, or power. He distinguishes between temporary earthly glory and the eternal glory promised through union with God, emphasizing that true fulfillment comes only through holiness. Citing numerous passages from Scripture, he argues that Christ's Transfiguration points believers toward the inheritance prepared for the saints rather than the fleeting honors of this world.

The Metropolitan also underscores the inseparable connection between the Transfiguration and Christ's Passion. He notes that Moses and Elijah spoke with Christ about His coming "exodus" in Jerusalem, referring to His voluntary death on the cross. The Church's liturgical calendar reinforces this relationship by placing the Feast of the Transfiguration 40 days before the Feast of the Cross, illustrating that divine glory is revealed through sacrificial love and self-denial rather than worldly triumph.

Reflecting on the Gospel account, Metr. Saba explains that Peter, James, and John witnessed Christ's glory only to the extent they were spiritually prepared to receive it. He says the event strengthened the disciples before the Crucifixion while foreshadowing the transformation awaiting believers in God's kingdom. The Transfiguration, he writes, reveals humanity's original beauty restored through Christ and offers hope that those who embrace the cross will ultimately share in His eternal glory.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Metr. Saba visited a Pittsburgh ministry serving the vulnerable.