st. john of damascus (676-749 - Cristo Raul

"
IO4 ST. JOHN OF DAMASCUS.
The first in order, as we now have them,
is that
on the Transfiguration of our Lord. Lequien thinks
that it was delivered in the church erected on
Mount Tabor to commemorate that event. And
certainly, though there does not appear to be any
thing in the language employed which absolutely
requires it, this supposition would accord very well
with the general tone of the discourse. Tabor, as is
well known, was from the earliest ages believed to
have been the scene of the Transfiguration. No
mountain, it is agreed by all,
could be more suitable
for such an event, from its isolation, its solemn
beauty, and the grandeur of the widespread view from
its summit. But the ascertained fact that in our
Saviour s time it was crowned by a Roman fortress,
has caused this belief to be now given up. In the
monastic ages, however, there was no misgiving on
the subject. It was then a favourite resort for
hermits. St. Jerome had spoken of it unhesitatingly
as the scene ;
and thus
it was one of the shrines,
from the earliest period, which pilgrims to the Holy
Land regarded
it as a sacred duty to honour with
their presence and their 1
At the prayers." present
day, both the Latin and Greek Christians maintain
periodical services here. If it were indeed to a con
gregation gathered together on this mountain that St.
John of Damascus spoke, his words must have come
with vivid interest and power, as he thus began :
"Come, ye assembly of God-loving people, and let
!
Professor Hackett : Art. in Smith s
"
Dictionary of the
Bible."