Transfiguration of Jesus at Samtavro Nunnery of St. Nino (Photos)

The Georgian Orthodox Church marks the Transfiguration of Jesus (Peristvaleba in Georgian) on August 19.

In connection with the celebration, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta-Mtianeti and Mitropolitan of Tskhum-Abkhazeti, His Holiness and Beatitude Shio III, will conduct a festive church service at the Samtavro Transfiguration Church and the Nunnery of St. Nino in Mtskheta.

Transfiguration is related to one of the famous episodes in the life of Jesus Christ.

In the gospel accounts, Jesus and three of his apostles, Peter, James, and John, went to a mountain (later referred to as the Mount of Transfiguration) to pray. On the mountaintop, Jesus transfigured and became radiant in glory.

The Transfiguration is one of the five major milestones in the gospel narrative of the life of Jesus, the others being baptism, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension.

On this day, fruit is brought to church to be blessed.