Theophany: Celebrating the Baptism of Christ
By michelle | January 6, 2010
Today we celecbrate Christ’s baptism by John the Baptist. This feast is called Theophany (from Greek theophania, meaning “appearance of God”) because at the baptism of Christ, the Holy Trinity clearly appeared for the first time: the Father’s voice is heard from Heaven, the Son of God is baptised, and the Holy Spirit descends in the form of a dove.
In commemoration of the feast, we perform the Blessing of the Waters. The Blessing of the Waters is a beautiful service where we venture out into the cold January weather to literally bless the waters. Our parish goes to a local pond that feeds into a river, there our priest says a set of prayers that explain the meaning for Theophany, praising God for creation and our salvation through faith in Him. Then the priest makes the sign of the cross over the water and then immerses his wooden cross into the body of water imitating the baptism of Christ as we all sing:
- 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, You have revealed Yourself
- And have enlightened the world, glory to You!
I am so sad that I have to miss the service on Sunday and the Blessing of the Waters. It is one of my favorite services of the year. I’ll be home with little Bunky, who hasn’t improved at all yet. Thank you to all my wonderful family and friends who have been praying for him.
6 Comments
Michelle Mowat on January 6, 2010 at 9:47 am.
I love it when you post things about your church stuff because I really know nothing about the Orthodox church, and I like learning new things
mamajuliana on January 6, 2010 at 9:57 am.
still praying…
grandma on January 6, 2010 at 11:05 am.
You are still in our thoughts and prayers.
Pres. Kathy on January 6, 2010 at 1:08 pm.
We will continue to pray.
Elizabeth @ The Garden Window on January 6, 2010 at 1:50 pm.
Prayers continue for Bunky…..
john.bible bangkok new vistion chruch. on July 19, 2010 at 3:55 am.
son and god in geeck worlds classic the jesus and son…..thank you for god…..workship you….ho….son….na….ha…..la….lu….ya…..name…..jesus…..geeck son…[my jesus][my savion][lord there is none wie you][all of my days i want to praise][the wonders of your mighty love][shout to the lord all the earth we us sing][power a majesty praise to the king][montains pow down the sea will roon][at the sound of your name][i sing for joy at the worlds of your hands][forever i love you][forever i stand][noting compraise to the promise i have in you][my comfort my shelter][tower of refuge shenfht][let every breath all that i am][never cease to workship you]thank you for god.