Theophany. Baptism of the Lord

Something happens at the Jordan that John the Baptist tries to stop: the sinless one takes his place in the queue of sinners.

John baptised those who came as a sign of repentance — people went down into the water confessing their sins. And in that queue stands Jesus of Nazareth. Recognising him, John draws back: I need to be baptised by you, and do you come to me? The answer was short: thus it is fitting to fulfil all righteousness. Christ needed no cleansing. He stood where everyone else stands so that no distance would remain between God and man.

As he came up from the water the heavens opened. The Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove and the Father's voice said: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. For the first time people saw and heard the Trinity at once — Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Hence the feast has two names: the Baptism of the Lord, and Theophany, God made manifest.

Holy water

The great blessing of water is served twice, on the eve and on the day itself; it is the same water, and there is no difference between the two. It is called agiasma, a great holy thing: kept through the year, taken fasting, used to bless a home. Bathing in an ice hole is a pious custom, not a sacrament and not an obligation — it washes away no sins and replaces no confession.

How it is kept

January 19 (January 6 on the old calendar). The Eve is a strict fast day; the feast itself is fast-free even when it falls on a Wednesday or Friday.

When You were baptised in the Jordan, O Lord, the worship of the Trinity was made manifest; for the voice of the Father bore witness to You, calling You His beloved Son, and the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the truth of His word. O Christ our God, who has appeared and enlightened the world, glory to You.