Feast of the 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
Additional Theophany Resources
