|
 The
Feast of the Theophany (or Epiphany) of Our Lord Jesus Christ, is celebrated
on January 6. After Pascha and Pentecost, this is the greatest Feast of
the Orthodox Church, predating even the Nativity of Christ in importance.
Here Our Lord Jesus Christ is baptized by John in the waters of the Jordan,
this being the first public manifestation of God the Word Incarnate to
the world.
As Holy Scripture tells us: In those days came John the Baptist, preaching
in the wilderness of Judea, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is
at hand." For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah
when he said, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare
the way of the Lord, make His paths straight." Now John wore a garment
of comet's hair, and a leather girdle around his waist; and his food was
locusts and wild honey. Then went out to him Jerusalem and all Judea and
all the region about the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the
river Jordan, confessing their sins.... [And John said,] "I baptise
you with water for repentance, but He Who is coming after me is mightier
than I, Whose sandals I am not worthy to carry; He will baptize you with
the Holy Spirit and with fire" [Matt. 3:1-6, 11).
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world! This is He of Whom I
said, 'After me comes a man Who ranks before me, for He was before me'"
[John 1:28-30]. Then Jesus came... to John, to be baptized by him. John
would have prevented Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You,
and do You come to me?" But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so
now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness."
Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized. He went up immediately
from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened and He was the Spirit
of Cod descending like a dove, and alighting on Him; and lo, a voice from
heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, with Whom I am well pleased"
[Matt. 3:13-17].
And John bore witness, "I saw the Spirit descend as a dove from heaven,
and it remained on Him. I myself did not know Him; but He Who sent me
to baptize with water said to me, 'He on Whom you see the Spirit descend
and remain, this is He Who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. 'And I have
seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God" [John 1:32-34].
In commemoration of this event, the Church, on January 5, the Eve of Theophany,
performs the Blessing of Waters in the church itself, and on January 6,
the day of the Feast itself, the Blessing of Waters is performed at a
site prepared outside the church (preferably a river or lake).
The Feast of the Epiphany reminds us of our own Baptism in the hymn sung
just before the reading of the Epistle at the Divine Liturgy: "As
many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia!"
For in the waters of Baptism, we put off the Old Man and put on the New,
that is Jesus Christ, and strive to acquire the humility shown by the
Lord Himself when He, the Creator, bowed His head under the hand of John,
the creature, in the waters of the Jordan River.
Troparion of the Feast (Tone 1)
When Thou, O Lord, wast baptized in the Jordan, the worship of the Trinity
was made manifest! For the voice of the Father bare witness to Thee, and
called Thee His beloved Son! And the Spirit, in the form of a dove, confirmed
the truthfulness of His word. O Christ our God, Who hast revealed Thyself
and hast enlightened the world, glory to Thee!
Kontakion of the Feast (Tone 4)
Today Thou hast appeared to the universe, and Thy light, 0 Lord, has shone
on us, who with understanding praise Thee:
Thou hast come and revealed Thyself, O Light Unapproachable! |
