A Musing of an American Transfiguration Table

“Each parish can feel like it's own unique bowl of fruit at the table, composing a uniquely diverse and colorful spread.”

It is common in Orthodox churches to bring grapes to be blessed for Transfiguration, but in American churches, the tables tend to have more variety and become quite colorful. Some bring bright oranges bought at nearest store on the way to the church or bananas that were on already on hand. Others bring small green peppers grown in their backyard gardens. Other stick with traditional purple grapes. All are welcome. All are blessed.

American converts often worry if they are "doing Orthodoxy right", not realizing or accepting that there is space in the Orthodox church for variations. Not all participation will look exactly the same. Especially in America, each parish can feel like it's own unique bowl of fruit at the table, composing a uniquely diverse and colorful spread. Bring what you have, bring your best, bring your first— whatever that may be, and let it be transfigured.