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The Feast of the Transfiguration commemorates an event recorded in the Gospels which serves as an epiphany or manifestation, that Jesus is the Christ, with the witnesses to this event being his own disciples, Peter, James and John.

The English Reformers dropped this feast from being commemorated, supposedly with a number of other feasts in summer, as it interfered with harvests. Anglicans began to recognize this feast again during the 20th Century.

At the Mass

The following is taken from:

The Introit

Antiphon: Psalm 77 The lightnings shone upon the ground: the earth was moved and shook withal.

Verse: Psalm 84 How amiable are thy dwellings, thou Lord of Hosts. My soul hath a desire and longing to enter into the courts of the Lord.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Repeat the Antiphon The lightnings shone upon ...

The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper Supplemental, Pages 21-22

The Collect

O God, who on the holy mount didst reveal to chosen witnesses thy well-beloved Son wonderfully transfigured: Mercifully grant unto us such a vision of his divine majesty, that we, being purified and strengthened by thy grace, may he transformed into his likeness from glory to glory; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Page 289

The Epistle
2 St. Peter 1. 16.

We have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

2 Peter 1:16-21 NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV

The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Page 290

Gradual and Alleluia

Psalm 45 Thou art fairer than the children of men: full of grace are thy lips. My heart is inditing of a good matter; I speak of the things which I have made unto the King. My tongue is pen of a ready writer.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Wisdom 7 He is the brightness of the everlasting light: the unspotted mirror, and the image of his goodness. Alleluia.

The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper Supplemental, Pages 21-22

The Gospel
St. Matthew 17. 1.

After six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, and was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elijah talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; Hear ye him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.

Matthew 17:1-9 NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV

The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Pages 290-291

The Offertory

Psalm 112 Riches and plenteousness shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever. Alleluia.

The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper Supplemental, Pages 21-22

The Preface

After the Octave of Christmas to the Eve of the Epiphany, and upon the Feasts of the Purification and of the Transfiguration.

Because in the mystery of the Word made flesh, thou hast caused a new light to shine in our hearts, to give the knowledge of thy glory, in the face of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Therefore with Angels, etc.

The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Page 79

The Communion

St. Matthew 17 Tell the vision which ye have seen to no man: until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.

The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper Supplemental, Pages 21-22

At the Offices

Vigil

Psalm(s): 89 Pt 1
First Lesson: Exodus 24:12–end
Second Lesson: Luke 9:28–45
NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV

Morning Prayer

Psalm(s): 96, 97
First Lesson: Exodus 34:29–end
Second Lesson: 2 Corinthians 3
NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV

Evening Prayer

Psalm(s): 27, 93
First Lesson: Ecclesiasticus 48:1–16
Second Lesson: 1 John 3:1–8
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