For the face of the angel signifies the manifestation of what has been accomplished. The prophet spoke of this: "Let Your face shine, and we shall be saved" (Ps 79:20).
His feet are the apostles, who were set aflame by the words of God and by the Holy Spirit, and were sent forth to preach. As it is said, "Did not our heart burn within us while He spoke to us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" (Lk 24:32).
They are called pillars because of the firmness of the Church. Of this the prophet says, "I will establish its pillars" (Ps 74:4).
Again: "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good tidings, who proclaims peace" (Isa 52:7). And finally, in the Apostle: "James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars" (Gal 2:9).
If it was previously acknowledged that deep mysteries were hidden in the sealed book of the Old Testament, then, correspondingly, the revealed glory seems to have become manifest in the opened little book of the New Testament.
Therefore the Apostle says confidently, "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as from the Spirit of the Lord" (2 Cor 3:18).
For this reason, perhaps, it is said that "His face shone like the sun" (Mt 17:2; cf. Rev 1:16).
Further, the right foot upon the sea signifies those strong members of the Church who are able to endure persecutions. The left upon the earth signifies those who are not exposed to greater dangers.
For God does not allow us to be tempted beyond our strength, but with the temptation also provides the way of escape, so that we may be able to endure it (cf. 1 Cor 10:13). Nevertheless, it is clear that His cry resounds over earth and sea.
THEOSIS