Icon "Transfiguration of the Lord" (fragment of iconostasis)

The central panel of an iconostasis. The icon shows Christ's disciples fallen to the ground: James, Peter, and John, on Mount Tabor. Above their heads are the inscriptions of their names: "JAMES," "PETER," "JOHN." Above the mountain, at the center of the composition, is Jesus Christ. He stands with arms widely outstretched amid silvery-white clouds. His blue-silver garments billow. Around Christ's head, within the radiating rays, are the letters "Ho Ōn" ("He Who Is"); above them the inscriptions "IIS," "KHS." To the right and left of Christ are the Old Testament prophets Elijah and Moses. Above them are the inscriptions "ILIA," "MOISEI." At the top of the panel is the inscription: "THE TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD" (inscriptions in Church Slavonic). Silvery blue, dark green, and red tones predominate in the painting. The icon sits within a recessed "ark" bordered by dark-green edges. On the reverse of the icon are two grooves from battens. On the transverse edges of the panel are two grooves on each side from the fittings joining the iconostasis leaves.

The icon was seized at the Chop customs post. It entered the Kharkiv Historical Museum's holdings by decision of the State Customs Committee of Ukraine and the National Committee for the Return of Cultural Property to Ukraine under the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine in 1995.

Legend: the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord is among the greatest Christian feasts. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke recount that Jesus Christ, together with the Apostles Peter, James, and John, went up a mountain to pray.

During the prayer, the Savior's face shone with light, and his garments became dazzling white. Before the disciples appeared the Old Testament prophets Moses and Elijah, speaking with Jesus Christ. Then the Apostles heard the voice of God the Father: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!" It was in the Transfiguration that Christ revealed his Divine glory to the Apostles, to strengthen their faith before his sufferings on the Cross.