THEOPHANY

Feast of the Holy Theophany of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ
January 6

Theophany means the "Manifestation of God". Our Lord's Baptism by St. John the Forerunner in the Jordan was the beginning of His public ministry. All three Persons of the Trinity were shown forth at one time and place: the Father testified from on high to the Divine Sonship of Jesus; the Son received His Father's testimony; the Holy Spirit was seen in the form of a dove descending from the Father and resting upon the Son.

Our holy father John Chrysostom in his Discourse on the Baptism of Christ explains clearly this Feast: "Why then is this day called Theophany? Because Christ made Himself known to all - not then when He was born - but then when He was baptized. Until this time, He was not known to the people and the people did not know Him."

On the Feast of Theophany, every year a great miracle is performed in our Holy Churches. The Holy Spirit, coming down upon the water, changes its natural properties. It becomes incorrupt, that is, it does not spoil, remains transparent and fresh for many years, receives the grace to heal illnesses, to drive away demons and every evil power, to preserve people and their dwellings from every danger, to sanctify various objects whether for Church or home use. Therefore, with reverence we drink Holy Water - a great Agiasma (Holy Thing), as the Greeks call it.

When You, O Lord, were baptized in the Jordan, the Worship of the Trinity was made manifest! For the voice of the Father bore witness to You, and called You His Beloved Son! And the Spirit, in the form of a dove, confirmed the truthfulness of His Word. O Christ our God, who has revealed Yourself and has enlightened the world, Glory to You!
-Troparion for the Feast