Russians were told about the connection of the Apple Savior with the Transfiguration of the Lord

Priest Stepanchuk: Yablochny Savior is connected with the church tradition of Transfiguration

Fri, 07/17/2026 - 05:30

Photo: IZVESTIA/Pavel Volkov

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The popular name of the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, the Apple Savior, is not due to the gospel story, but to the historically established practice of consecrating the fruits of the new harvest on this day. This was announced in a conversation with Izvestia by the cleric of the church of the Great Martyr George the Victorious in the city of Vidnoye, Priest John Stepanchuk.

The priest noted that the Gospel text does not contain any mention of fruits in the description of the Transfiguration event. He recalled that, according to the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus, taking with him the apostles Peter, James and John, ascended a high mountain, where He was transformed: "His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became white as light." According to the clergyman, there is nothing described in the Gospel that would allow apples or any other fruits to be "tied" to this event.

The priest explained that the tradition of bringing fruits to the temple has more ancient roots and is connected with the practice of sacrifice. Thus, the Old Testament says that the sons of Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, sacrificed the fruits of their labors to God. Stepanchuk pointed out that before the establishment of the temple's liturgical law, such offerings were irregular, but were made on various occasions as an expression of gratitude to God.

"On the day of the feast, the church charter presupposes the blessing of the fruits of the new harvest. It is noteworthy that there are several prayers that can be read by a priest for the blessing of fruits. We can see from the text of the prayer that there is no indication of any specific fruit or fruits, such as apples or grapes, which are traditionally brought to the church on the Transfiguration of the Lord for "sanctification." Prayer is deep in its meaning and reflects the ancient tradition of bringing the first fruits of a new harvest to God," the priest emphasized.

The priest also added that ancient Jews, ancient Christians, and even pagans brought fruits to the temple not only in order to receive a blessing and taste them. It was, first of all, a gift to God or gods, a sacrifice. Therefore, some of the fruits were necessarily left in the temple.