St. Tikhon Chapel
This Sunday is the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost. In the Gospel, the disciples are caught in a storm while crossing the sea. Christ comes to them walking upon the water, and Peter steps out of the boat at the Lord’s command. When Peter turns his attention from Christ to the wind and waves, he begins to sink and cries, “Lord, save me!” The Lord immediately reaches out His hand.
The Gospel does not teach us to deny the reality of fear or hardship. It teaches us where to turn in the midst of them. Peter is upheld while his attention remains fixed upon Christ. When fear overtakes him, his prayer is brief and direct, and the Lord does not abandon him.
Saint Paul reminds us in the Epistle that we are God’s temple and that the Spirit of God dwells in us. Our life in the Church is therefore not something added to the edges of our week. We belong to Christ, and our thoughts, choices, work, homes, and relationships are to be ordered toward Him.
On August 2, the Church commemorates the translation of the relics of the Holy Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen from Jerusalem to Constantinople. Saint Stephen was the eldest of the seven deacons appointed by the Apostles and is called the Archdeacon. He was also the first Christian to shed his blood for Christ, and for this reason the Church calls him the Protomartyr—the first martyr.
Filled with the Holy Spirit, Saint Stephen preached Christ boldly and answered those who opposed the Gospel. Brought before the Sanhedrin, he recounted God’s saving work and confessed Jesus as the promised Messiah. He then saw the heavens opened and Christ standing at the right hand of God. Dragged outside the city and stoned, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit,” and asked the Lord not to hold the sin against those killing him.
His witness was not only courageous; it was conformed to Christ. Saint Stephen confessed the truth without hatred and met violence with prayer. His title as Protomartyr marks his unique place at the beginning of the Church’s long line of martyrs, while his service as Archdeacon reminds us that Christian witness begins in humble service.
After his martyrdom, his body was secretly taken and buried by Gamaliel. His relics were uncovered in the fifth century, and healings took place through them. They were later transferred to Constantinople, where a church was dedicated to him.
The word Transfiguration means a change in outward appearance or form. On Mount Tabor, however, Christ did not change from a man into God or become something He was not before. He revealed to Peter, James, and John the divine glory that had always been His. Their eyes were opened and strengthened to behold His radiance “as far as they could bear it.”
Moses and Elijah appeared with the Lord. Moses represents the Law and Elijah the Prophets, both of which bear witness to Christ. They also show that Christ is Lord of both the living and the departed: Elijah had been taken up alive, while Moses had died. The bright cloud recalled the presence of God, and the Father’s voice proclaimed, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”
The feast occurs shortly before the Lord begins His journey toward the Cross. By revealing His glory beforehand, Christ strengthened the disciples for the scandal of His Passion and showed that His suffering would be voluntary. The One who would be mocked, beaten, and crucified is truly the radiant Lord of glory.
The light seen on Tabor is not merely a created effect or symbol. The Church teaches that the disciples truly beheld the uncreated radiance of God’s glory. The Transfiguration therefore also reveals the calling of every Christian: not to become divine by nature, but to be purified and illumined and to participate in God’s life by grace.
Fruit—traditionally grapes, and often apples or other first fruits—is blessed on the feast. We return to God the first of what He has given us in thanksgiving. The blessing also points to the renewal of creation in Christ: the material world is not discarded, but sanctified and offered back to its Creator.
This week the Church remembers Saint Gamaliel and Saint Nicodemus, two men whose paths toward Christ unfolded differently, but whose lives show how God patiently draws people toward the truth.
Gamaliel was a respected teacher of the Law. When the Apostles were brought before the Sanhedrin, he urged the council not to act rashly against them, warning that if their work were from God, it could not be overthrown. Nicodemus first came to Christ by night, seeking understanding. Later, he defended the Lord before the rulers and, after the Crucifixion, openly helped Joseph of Arimathea prepare Christ’s Body for burial.
Their examples remind us not to dismiss those whose faith is still taking shape. Some come forward quickly; others search quietly before they find the courage to act. This week, pray for someone who is seeking the truth, hesitant to confess the faith, or struggling to take the next faithful step. Ask the Lord to grant that person wisdom, courage, and a heart ready to follow Him.
Please remember His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, His Eminence Archbishop Daniel, our clergy and faithful, the sick and suffering, those who are traveling, those preparing for Holy Baptism or Chrismation, and all those known to us who are in need of the Lord’s mercy and help.
Please also pray for the departed, especially those whose anniversaries fall during this week. May their memory be eternal.
Sunday, August 2: Stephen, Nicodemus, Gamaliel, Abibas, and Basil — saints of the day
Monday, August 3: Isaac, Dalmatus, Faustus, Anthony, and Cosmas — saints of the day
Tuesday, August 4: The Seven Youths of Ephesus and Eudoxia — saints of the day
Wednesday, August 5: Eusignius, Fabian, and Theoctistus — saints of the day
Thursday, August 6: Those named for the Holy Transfiguration — feast of the day
Friday, August 7: Dometius, Marinus, Asterius, and Hor — saints of the day
Saturday, August 8: Emilian, Myron, Gregory, and Zosimas — saints of the day
To all celebrating a name day this week: Many Years!