Secondary Level

January 6th - The Feast of Theophany (Epiphany)

This Feast Day is one of the greatest days of the Christian year.  It ranks in importance with Christmas and Easter.  In many parts of the world, this Feast Day is celebrated with more solemnity than Christmas itself.  In English, we call this Feast Day "Epiphany" which means "appearance."  On this day the Orthodox Church celebrates the Baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River by St. John the Baptist (he is called "the Baptist" because he baptized Christ.)  Epiphany Day is also called "Theophany" which means "God shows himself to us."  On this day, the Holy Trinity was first revealed for all of humanity to know and believe.  When Jesus Christ was baptized in the River Jordan, a voice was heard from God in the heavens above saying, "This is my Son in whom I am well pleased."  A white dove, the symbol of the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus Christ the Son of God.  So we have the Holy Trinity being shown to us on that day 2000 years ago.  This is why we call this day the "day of illumination (light) and manifestation (appearance.)  The Holy Trinity made its appearance and we have been illuminated by this wonderful truth and blessing.  Since the waters of the Jordan were blessed by the presence of Jesus Christ, it is a source of Divine Grace and blessing, and we bless ourselves and our homes with the waters of the "Sanctification Service" which is held every January 5th and 6th.  

excerpted from Fr. George Poulos, "Lives of the Saints and Major Feast Days"