We, an Orthodox group of pilgrims from Russia, are at the foot of Mount Tabor, in an open cafe, waiting for our minibus to climb to the top.
On Mount Tabor, the Transfiguration of the Lord took place in front of his disciples Peter, James and John, whom He took with him. The disciples saw Him in shining robes, white as snow, talking with Moses and Elijah, who had descended from heaven. From the cloud they heard the voice of God the Father: "Behold my beloved Son. Listen to him! ".
The grace of God touched the disciples, and Peter, rejoicing with happiness and joy, said: "How good it is here, Lord! Let's make 3 tents for you, Moses and Elijah, and stay here!.. "
And here we are at the foot of Mount Tabor, where such a great Evangelical event took place.
Catholics are singing nearby. They are more emotional and uninhibited than we Russian pilgrims.
They sing loudly and laugh. When they saw our beautiful, stately young 2 fathers - real Russian heroes in priestly vestments with golden crosses, all the Italians ran up to them and asked for permission to take a picture as a souvenir. There was a very picturesque group - enthusiastic laughing Italian women in jeans with loose curly hair and good-natured Russian monks smiling modestly. Soon the Catholics left for their Catholic monastery on the top, and we went to the Orthodox Greek monastery of the Transfiguration of the Lord.
In the monastery, we were struck by the icon of the Mother of God "Unfading Color". It was executed in black and white, it was very simple, it looked more like a large copier from an icon. We were struck by the abundance of silver plates with images of children, eyes, hands, feet, with which the icon was hung. They explained to us that this image of the Mother of God is miraculous - You ask to heal your loved ones who have an eye disease, or hands, or infertility, buy a silver plate with the appropriate image and attach it to the icon. Of course, we also bought these wonderful silver plates and, asking the Mother of God for help in healing loved ones, hung them next to the icon...
It was magnificent in the garden near the monastery. Bright red grenades
hanging from trees attracted attention. We stood and prayed for a long time at the 3 tabernacles (tents) set up here, as Peter wanted.
From the top of the mountain there was an extraordinary view of the picturesque surroundings.
Indeed, how wonderful it was here!!! And we, too, like Peter, James and John, wanted to stay longer at this holy place of the Transfiguration of the Lord.