I was late to the Vigil of the Transfiguration, but I finally heard it

I would tell you about the rest of the service, but I think I might save that for another day when I talk about other humorous moments at other All-Night Vigils, which in our church only lasts two hours (‘All-Night Vigil’ just means – at least for us – that we are combining Vespers and Matins). But there was something about hearing the Transfiguration that shook my body up so that as we got up again to read, I didn’t trip over the third reading, and when we prayed, my body automatically went into reverences, bowing without thinking at every Lord, have mercy and signing with the cross rapidly as I was moved through the services – not even the pews could get in my way! Our priest finally brought out the Icon of the Transfiguration, holding it high above his head as he came through the Royal Doors of the iconostas, and what I heard became sight. One day, I will also talk about how every time the Gospel book – which is also an icon of Christ – is elevated, I am pretty much reduced to tears, whether it is in the Latin or the Byzantine Church(which means that the Little Entrance – the part of the service when the Gospel is brought out, and we venerate it – is my favourite part of the Divine Liturgy), but suffice it to say that at this Vigil, the Icon of the Transfiguration had the same effect. To have heard the Transfiguration is to have been called to behold the face of Christ in the icon, and strange wonder, I am not consumed. As I looked upon the icon, I began to anticipate communing with the Lord of the Transfiguration at his table this weekend – and I know that this is technically tangential, but as I did, my thoughts went to the Prayer of St Symeon the New Theologian in the Order of Preparation for Holy Communion: These things make me bold, these things give me wings, O Christ. And taking courage from the wealth of Thy benefactions to us, rejoicing and trembling at once, I partake of Fire, I that am grass. And, strange wonder! I am bedewed without being consumed, as the bush of old burned without being consumed. Now with thankful mind, and grateful heart, with thanksgiving in my members, my soul and body, I worship and magnify and glorify Thee, my God, for blessed art Thou, both now and unto the ages (Jordanville Prayer Book, p. 366-7).