Theophany
Also known as
the Feast of Lights
The Feast of
the Holy Theophany of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ is celebrated each
year on January 6 (19 New Style). The Feast commemorates the Baptism of Christ
and the divine revelation of the Holy Trinity. At the Baptism of Christ, all
three Persons of the Holy Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—were made
manifest. Thus, the name of the Feast is Theophany, meaning manifestation of
God.
John the
Baptist, the one chosen by God to proclaim His coming, was preaching in the
wilderness and baptizing all who responded to his message calling for
repentance. As he was doing this, John was directing the people toward the one
who would baptize them with the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11).
The
Scriptures tell us that Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be
baptized by him. Initially, John would not do this, saying that Jesus should
baptize him. Jesus said to John, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in
this way to fulfill all righteousness (3:15). John consented and baptized
Jesus.
When Jesus
came up from the water, the heavens opened suddenly, and the Holy Spirit
descended upon Him. The Bible records that the Spirit descended like a dove and
alighted on him. When this happened, a voice came from heaven and said, “This
is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” This was the voice of God
the Father.
Christ’s
baptism in the Jordan was “theophany,” a manifestation of God to the world,
because it was the beginning of our Lord’s public ministry. It was also a
“theophany” in that the world was granted a revelation of the Holy Trinity. All
three Persons were made manifest together: the Father testified from on high to
the divine Sonship of Jesus; the Son received His Father’s testimony; and the Spirit
was seen in the form of a dove, descending from the Father and resting upon the
Son.
The theme of
“manifestation” or “revelation” is also expressed in Scripture with the
symbolism of light. In the hymn of the Feast we sing, “Christ has appeared and
enlightened the world.” Thus, January 6 is also known as the Feast of Lights.
The Church celebrates on this day the illumination of the world by the light of
Christ.
With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
Δεν υπάρχουν σχόλια:
Δημοσίευση σχολίου