The Glorious Epiphany (Denho)
January 6
Titus 2:11-3:7 Transformation of Life
Brothers and Sisters:
The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds. Declare these things; exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one look down on you. Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show every courtesy to everyone. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, despicable, hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Praise be to God always!
Luke 3:15-22 The Baptism of Jesus
The Evangelist said: As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people. But Herod the ruler, who had been rebuked by him because of Herodias, his brother’s wife, and because of all the evil things that Herod had done, added to them all by shutting up John in prison. Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” This is the truth. Peace be with you.
Good. The wife will finally let me take the Christmas lights down.
We all (Orthodox) celebrated the Great Feast of Theophany today—the Baptism of our Lord and the Revelation of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
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!
http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsLife.asp?FSID=100106
http://oca.org/fs/sermons/discourse-on-the-day-of-the-baptism-of-christ
We celebrated Divine Liturgy, and then the Blessing of the Waters. We partook of the sanctified water, and took some home with us. Many others in our parish will do the same on Sunday.
On the way back, we saw many Christmas trees discarded on the sidewalks for recycling. That is the main meaning of Epiphany/Theophany for many. However, in the Orthodox Church, Theophany is second only to Pascha.
For those Orthodox on the Old Calendar, this is Christmas Eve—for Serbs, Badnje Vece. Srecno Badnje vecce to all!!!!