“Christ is the one who came in order to do what Adam did not do: to be the priest of creation...not just for the human being, although it was achieved through the human being. Christ came so that the whole world may live, and the human being may become that which he was meant to be when he was created by God, namely the priest of creation.” -Metropolitan John (Zizioulas) of Pergamon
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Epiphany, or Theophany commemorates the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan by St. John the Baptist. Of all the observances of Epiphany throughout the world, none is more deeply religious in tradition and significance, or more colorful, than in the Greek Orthodox Church.
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The presents have been opened, the food has been eaten, and the Christmas tree is really starting to shed—yes, your house is showing the effects of Christmas Day. But while the “holiday season” may be winding down—for Christians the Christmas season is just getting started. You’ve heard of the 12 days of Christmas, right? This is when they begin!
Read MoreIn the early Church, the feast of Epiphany (also called Theophany) was THE big holy day apart from Pascha: Christmas as we know it was not celebrated at first. But the commemoration of Christ’s Baptism was observed, and with grand festivities. Nowadays we hang up our lights for December 25, but in the early centuries, January 6 was the Feast of Lights, when candles and lamps were hung aloft in joyous remembrance.
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With the selection of Dec 25 to commemorate the Nativity of Christ, there was a 12-day period from the one major celebration to the next major observance. Thus, we have the '12 days of Christmas' that bridge the birth with the baptism and it became a festal period of time of great joy and celebration.
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In this video, we learn about event of Christ’s baptism. We also explore the ways in which this great feast continues to be celebrated in the Orthodox Church, as we continue to bless the waters and reconnect this created world to God.
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The definition of the word “epiphany” is “a manifestation or showing of” and leads us to the event of Christ’s baptism in the Jordan River as described in the narratives of the New Testament’s first three gospels. What exactly is being manifested or shown? It is the revelation of the Holy Trinity in God the Father’s voice proclaiming His pleasure with His Son, and the Holy Spirit appearing in the form of a dove.
Read MoreEvery Orthodox Christian household must again consider the reason for having been baptized into Christ. When we acknowledge the gift of eternal life offered through Holy Baptism, there is no question as to why we must develop and grow as stewards of the Faith!
Read MoreThe celebrations of the Events of the life of Jesus Christ as they are celebrated today were not instituted at the very beginning of the Christian era; they were held by the believers of the early Church as vivid commemorations without a connection with certain days and hymns, but as a real Event of the Lord Who was present in the Church. Later on, when the Church was firmly established and its believers were free to worship the True God, they decided to commemorate and observe annually in the calendar year the events of the life of the Church and especially those of the Life and Person of Jesus Christ, whom they worshiped along with the Father and the Holy Ghost with prayers, hymns, and readings appropriate for the occasion.
Read MoreThe Feast of the Holy Theophany (Epiphany) of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ is celebrated each year on January 6. 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 Epiphany, meaning manifestation, or Theophany, meaning manifestation of God.
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Sometimes we divide the world into things that concern God and things that don't. What can holy water teach us about that?
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Archbishop Demetrios of America celebrated the feast of Holy Epiphany in this city which became internationally known as Epiphany City.
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Archbishop Demetrios of America presided at the celebrations of Holy Epiphany and the tossing of the Cross in Spring Bayou.
Read MoreArchbishop Demetrios of America arrived today in the Tampa Bay area for the 105th Annual Epiphany celebration that will take place tomorrow Jan. 6 in Tarpon Springs, which is known worldwide as Epiphany City.
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Our Christian life begins with our own Baptism and Chrismation into the Orthodox Faith. Membership in the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church is based on our participation in the Holy Mysteria of Baptism and Chrismation. Our membership in the Church, however, does not stop once we are baptized. It is the beginning of our life in Christ! It is the means by which we become citizens of the Heavenly Kingdom! Holy Baptism has enabled us to become partakers in the gift of salvation!
Our first STEWARDSHIP offering comes during our Baptism. In thanksgiving for the gift of new life in Christ, we make a personal sacrifice. The tonsuring of the hair is a symbol that we give a part of ourselves to God. This act of the newly baptized member of the Church is done freely and cheerfully. By this act we declare that we will not only offer a part of ourselves to God, but will commit our whole life to Him!
Every Orthodox Christian household must again consider the reason for having been baptized into Christ. When we acknowledge the gift of eternal life offered through Holy Baptism, there is no question as to why we must develop and grow as stewards of the Faith!
See: Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; John 1:29-34; Romans 6:3-11; Colossians 2:12
To learn more, visit the Department of Stewardship.