The Church celebrates the Baptism of the Lord

The Baptism of the Lord. Fragment of a 14th-century fresco. High Dečani Monastery, Serbia. Photo: ruicon.ru

On January 19, Orthodox Christians celebrate the great feast of the Theophany, also known as the Baptism of the Lord.

On this day, believers remember the baptism of the Lord Jesus Christ in the Jordan River before He began His Gospel ministry. The Savior was baptized by the Prophet John the Forerunner, also called the Baptist of the Lord.

The second name, Theophany, was given to the feast in memory of the miracle that occurred during the Baptism, when the Holy Trinity manifested itself in forms visible and comprehensible to human understanding: God the Father (as a voice from heaven), God the Holy Spirit (in the form of a dove), and God the Son (Jesus Christ). It was testified that Jesus is not only the Son of Man but also the Son of God.

The feast of Theophany includes four days of forefeast and eight days of afterfeast.

According to Church tradition, on the feast of the Baptism, as well as on the eve, during the Eve of Theophany, the Great Blessing of Water is performed. Baptismal water is referred to by the Church as agiasma, meaning "great holy water."

On the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, clergy are vested in white garments.

The celebration of Theophany began during the lifetime of the apostles. At that time, these were extended celebrations dedicated to the appearance of God in the world, encompassing both His Nativity and Baptism. In the 4th century, these feasts were separated, and the time between them later came to be known as the holy days, or Svyatki.

As UOJ previously reported, on January 18, the Church celebrated the Eve of Theophany, also known as the Baptismal Eve.

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