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19 January 2025
Dear friends!
Today, we joyfully celebrate the bright Feast of the Baptism of the Lord — a day which fills our hearts with grace and joy again and again and reminds us of our spiritual birth. This Feast is also called the Theophany, for the event commemorated by us reveals to the world the mystery of the Holy Trinity: the Son of God receives Baptism, the Holy Spirit descends upon Him from on high in the form of a dove, and the voice of the Father proclaims from Heaven: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
This event was preceded by the preaching and the baptism of the people of Israel in the Jordan River from the last prophet of the Old Testament and the herald of a new era in the life of mankind — the Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, John.
"The voice of one crying in the wilderness" — this is how John was called by another prophet of the Old Testament, Isaiah, who lived seven centuries before the Nativity of Christ. Indeed, what is the sense in crying to stones and sparse thorns? Why shake empty space? But the people came from every direction in response to this call, answering the call for repentance in anticipation of the coming of the Messiah soon.
Of course, by far not everyone repented and was baptised. It is hard to imagine Herod and his servants, who soon executed Saint John in the self-will of court intrigants, repent of their sins. It is also unbelievable that the Pharisees, scribes, and Sadducees — pseudo-spiritual leaders, who eagerly sought an opportunity to incriminate, slander, and eliminate another "contender" for power over the minds and hearts — would receive the baptism of repentance from the hands of the Baptist. But many simple in heart and sincere men answered this call, with a desire to change their lives, reject errors and mistakes, and start living anew.
This is what became an opportunity for the Holy and Sinless God-Man to come to be baptised Himself, to enter the waters of the Jordan, watered with the confessed sins of the people, Himself, and to take on those sins voluntarily Himself. The Saviour cleansed these waters by His sanctity and returned the first-formed element its initial power and meaning.
It was these people, washed by repentance, the baptism in the Jordan, and the preaching of the Holy Prophet of the Lord, John, who soon became the first disciples and followers of Christ. They became that leaven which changed the entire mankind and the entire course of history.
Today's Feast is a day of joy and hope. Joy from the fact that we are not forgotten by God, that we are loved by Him. Hope for our reconciliation with God and one another and for our salvation.
This day also reminds us that every voice, every word of truth, every call for peace and good has tremendous meaning. Even though these words may still seem a voice of one crying in the wilderness, the Lord is able to come to us, enter this life, full of pain and suffering, take on all our hardships, and correct everything by His power and grace. If only we are worthy of it. Faith, hope, and love erase any fear in one's soul except the fear of God. As the Holy Church sings at the festive divine service, "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"
Dear brothers and sisters!
I extend my heartfelt greetings to all of you on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord and the Theophany! May the almighty grace of the Holy Spirit strengthen our souls on this feast day, give us wisdom and strength for spiritual growth, and inspire us for good works, for the transfiguration of this world, and for love for each other!
All related news Today, we joyfully celebrate the bright Feast of the Baptism of the Lord — a day which fills our hearts with grace and joy again and again and reminds us of our spiritual birth. This Feast is also called the Theophany, for the event commemorated by us reveals to the world the mystery of the Holy Trinity: the Son of God receives Baptism, the Holy Spirit descends upon Him from on high in the form of a dove, and the voice of the Father proclaims from Heaven: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
This event was preceded by the preaching and the baptism of the people of Israel in the Jordan River from the last prophet of the Old Testament and the herald of a new era in the life of mankind — the Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, John.
"The voice of one crying in the wilderness" — this is how John was called by another prophet of the Old Testament, Isaiah, who lived seven centuries before the Nativity of Christ. Indeed, what is the sense in crying to stones and sparse thorns? Why shake empty space? But the people came from every direction in response to this call, answering the call for repentance in anticipation of the coming of the Messiah soon.
Of course, by far not everyone repented and was baptised. It is hard to imagine Herod and his servants, who soon executed Saint John in the self-will of court intrigants, repent of their sins. It is also unbelievable that the Pharisees, scribes, and Sadducees — pseudo-spiritual leaders, who eagerly sought an opportunity to incriminate, slander, and eliminate another "contender" for power over the minds and hearts — would receive the baptism of repentance from the hands of the Baptist. But many simple in heart and sincere men answered this call, with a desire to change their lives, reject errors and mistakes, and start living anew.
This is what became an opportunity for the Holy and Sinless God-Man to come to be baptised Himself, to enter the waters of the Jordan, watered with the confessed sins of the people, Himself, and to take on those sins voluntarily Himself. The Saviour cleansed these waters by His sanctity and returned the first-formed element its initial power and meaning.
It was these people, washed by repentance, the baptism in the Jordan, and the preaching of the Holy Prophet of the Lord, John, who soon became the first disciples and followers of Christ. They became that leaven which changed the entire mankind and the entire course of history.
Today's Feast is a day of joy and hope. Joy from the fact that we are not forgotten by God, that we are loved by Him. Hope for our reconciliation with God and one another and for our salvation.
This day also reminds us that every voice, every word of truth, every call for peace and good has tremendous meaning. Even though these words may still seem a voice of one crying in the wilderness, the Lord is able to come to us, enter this life, full of pain and suffering, take on all our hardships, and correct everything by His power and grace. If only we are worthy of it. Faith, hope, and love erase any fear in one's soul except the fear of God. As the Holy Church sings at the festive divine service, "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"
Dear brothers and sisters!
I extend my heartfelt greetings to all of you on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord and the Theophany! May the almighty grace of the Holy Spirit strengthen our souls on this feast day, give us wisdom and strength for spiritual growth, and inspire us for good works, for the transfiguration of this world, and for love for each other!
