Theophany

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!

Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan (el-Maghtas), Jordan

The baptism site of Jesus. Only the foundation and the baptistry of the ancient shrine remain today. Due to the narrowing of the Jordan River, the channel is no longer connected to the river itself.

 

Today You have shown forth to the world, O Lord,

and the light of Your countenance has been marked on us.

Knowing You, we sing Your praises.

You have come and revealed Yourself,

O unapproachable Light.

The Israeli side of Jordan River and chapel

Outdoor chapel on the Jordanian side of Jordan River

Today the Lord enters the Jordan and cries out to John:

"Do not be afraid to baptize me.

For I have come to save Adam, the first-formed man."

St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church, Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan, Jordan, built in 2003

The icons of St. John the Baptist testifying to Jesus and Archangels Michael (left) and Gabriel (right)

The sanctuary Area and the icon of annunciation

Icon of St. John the Baptist testifies to Jesus

Icon of Baptism of Christ

Icon of St. Zosimas giving communion St. Mary of Egypt

Icon of Nativity of Christ

Icon of Baptism of Christ

Prepare, O Zebulon,

And adorn yourself, O Naphtali;

River Jordan, cease flowing

And receive with joy the Master coming to be baptized.

Adam, rejoice with our First Mother

And do not hide yourself as you did of old in Paradise;

For having seen you naked,

He has appeared to clothe you with the first garment.

Christ has appeared to renew all creation.

Mosaic icon of Baptism of Christ, St. George Orthodox Church, Madaba, Jordan

Mosaic of Baptism of Christ, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Madaba, Jordan

Of old, the river Jordan

Turned back before Elisha's mantle at Elijah's ascension.

The waters were parted in two

And the waterway became a dry path.

This is truly a symbol of baptism

By which we pass through this mortal life.

Christ has appeared in the Jordan to sanctify the waters!

As we continue to celebrate this monument in our history of salvation, the baptism of our Lord, let us meditate this mystery with the main hymn (apolitikion) of this feast day, 

When You, O Lord were baptized in the Jordan.