Theophany – The Feast of Divine Love and Salvation

Theophany is one of the most glorious and significant feasts in the liturgical life of the Orthodox Church. This feast celebrates the baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ in the River Jordan, which also serves as the revelation of the Holy Trinity. During this event, the Father reveals Himself through a voice from heaven, the Son receives baptism in the flesh, and the Holy Spirit descends in the form of a dove. As recorded in Holy Scripture: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).

Liturgical Significance

The core of the celebration of Theophany is the Divine Liturgy, which represents the constant manifestation of God. Through the Divine Liturgy, the gates of God’s Kingdom are opened, and all creation is sanctified. By His baptism in the Jordan, the Lord sanctified the water and nature, revealing the fullness of salvation.

Saint Athanasius the Great teaches: “God became man so that man might become god.” All events in the Church, including this feast, are directed toward the Holy Eucharist, which is the essence of Christian life and salvation.

The Revelation of the Holy Trinity

Christ’s baptism was not necessary for Him but for us, as this event revealed that God is Triune. Saint John Chrysostom emphasizes: “The baptism in the Jordan reveals the mystery of the Holy Trinity, which is neither divided nor confused.”

Saint Luke of Crimea highlights in one of his homilies: “Great is the mystery of God’s condescension – that God, the Creator of the universe, descends into the waters of the Jordan, not to be cleansed but to cleanse and sanctify us. His love for mankind is so great that He takes the form of a servant to elevate us to eternal glory.”

Christ, as the perfect God and perfect Man, through His baptism, sanctifies the waters of the Jordan and all of creation, preparing the world for salvation.

The Great Blessing of Waters

Following the Liturgy, the rite of the Great Blessing of Waters is performed, reminding us that through Christ’s baptism, all creation was sanctified. The blessed water is taken to homes as a sign of spiritual purification and renewal. Saint Cyril of Jerusalem teaches: “The baptism of Christ sanctifies all creation, for God Himself entered the waters of the Jordan.”

The Family as a Little Church

The celebration of Theophany does not end in the church. The blessing with sanctified water continues in the homes of the faithful, where the priest brings peace and God’s grace. In this way, the festive joy permeates families, which, through prayer and love, become little churches.

The Message of the Feast

Theophany reminds us of the greatness of God’s love and calls us to spiritual renewal. Saint Paul reminds us: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

By receiving the blessing bestowed upon the Jordan, filled with the Holy Spirit, we are called to align our lives with Christ and His light. Saint Nikolai Velimirović teaches: “Our soul must be a lamp of faith that shines in the darkness of this world.”

May the feast of Theophany fill us with love for God and our neighbors so that, in the community of the Church and our homes, we may attain the fullness of salvation in Christ, now and forever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Christ is revealed! God is revealed! Truly, He is revealed!

St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church

Johnstown, PA