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Holy TheophanyGreat Feast of the Holy Theophany of Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ (One of the Twelve Great Feasts, class 1)

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Great Feast
Holy Theophany
Our Lord,
God and Savior,
Jesus Christ
Holy
and
Glorious
Pascha
Holy Mystery
of Baptism
Prayer
Water
Great
Blessing
Explanation
Water
Great
Blessing
Prayer
Blessing
Water

 

Cycle Prepare
Cycle
Paramony Feast Divine
Liurgy
Chang-
able
Prayer
Prayer
Water
Great
Bless
Explan-
ation
Water
Great
Bless
Prayer
House
Bless
Icon Cele-
brate
Cycle
2 Day
Synaxis
John
Baptist

 

Feast of Feasts and Great Feasts
FeastEvent
Commem-
orated
Action
of Event
Significance
of Event
CelebrateApostolosGospelDateClass
Holy
Theophany

of Our Lord,
God
Savior,
Jesus
Christ
Our Lord,
God
Savior,
Jesus
Christ's
baptism
Holy
Prophet
and
Glorious
Fore-
runner
John Baptist

baptizing
Our Lord,
God
Savior,
Jesus
Christ
in
River
Jordan.
ºAs an
adult,
Jesus
Christ
shows
His
people
that He
is Holy God
(manifestation
Jesus
Christ
to the world).

ºHoly God
shows
His
people
that Holy God
is a
Holy Trinity.
ºJesus
Christ
is Holy God.

ºHoly God
is a
Holy
Trinity
Tim.
2:11-14,
3:4-7
Mt.
3:13-17
6
Jan.
Great
Feast
Class
1

Trisagion Hymn is the Baptismal Hymn

All of you who have been baptised into Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia! or As many as have been baptised into Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia!
Antom ol-ladheen bli-Maseeh i'tamadtom al-Maseeh qad labistom, Allilouia!
Ossi ees Christon evaptisthiteh, Christon enedheesasthen, Allilouia!

6 January - The Great Feast of the Holy Theophany of Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ celebrates:

An Explanation

The explanation below has been adapted from an article by Fr Kenneth Sherman, Pastor of St Nicholas Church, Rochester, NY. The adaption appeared in THE VOICE OF THE PROPHET, News from Saint Elias the Prophet Melkite Greek Catholic Mission, San Jose, CA, Volume 8, Number 1, January 2002.

On 6 January the Church celebrates the Great Feast called "Theophany," which means "the revelation of God". On this day the Church remembers the baptism of Our Lord and Savior in the Jordan River by John the Forerunner, and the manifestation of God as Holy Trinity. We do not just remember these occurrences as events in the life of Jesus; we celebrate their deep significance in our lives.
When the Lord presented Himself to John to be baptized, John hesitated, knowing perfectly well that Jesus had no need of baptism for the repentance of sin. Yet Jesus was baptized to prepare the way for all men and women to accept the Kingdom of God. The sinless One took on the sins of all in order to come out of the waters of His baptism renewing humanity made old by sin. Only after His baptism did Jesus begin His public ministry, having prepared humanity for the acceptance of the Kingdom of God by His own example.
At the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan, the Father and the Holy Spirit revealed themselves along with the Son as the Holy Trinity. The Father’s voice came from the heavens, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased" (Mt. 3:17), and the Spirit appeared as a dove, both giving testimony to the saving mission of the Son. The early name for this Great Feast of the Church spoke not of a "theophany," but of "theophanies", affirming the manifestation of each of the three divine Persons.
The early Church highlighted the celebration of the Feast of the Theophany by celebrating the baptisms of catechumens in great numbers. Today, this feast includes the Great Blessing of Water. Water is a source of physical life as well as the life in Christ through baptism. The Feast of Theophany reminds us that through the baptism of our Lord, God the Holy Trinity has manifested His great love for humanity and His will to save us. On the day after Theophany, the Church celebrates the Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John and his call to repentance, in remembrance of our own need to seek the way of the Lord.

The Greek word "Theophany" means "God's appearance" or "God's manifestation". The prefix "Theo" means God and the surfix "phany" comes from "phaneia" as in "epiphaneia".

Some people refer to this Great Feast as the "Epiphany". The Greek word "Epiphany" has the same root as the surfix in the Greek word "Theophany", which is "phaneia" as in "epiphaneia".

Trisagion Hymn is the Baptismal Hymn

All of you who have been baptised into Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia! or All of you who have been baptised into Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia! or As many as have been baptised into Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia!
Antom ol-ladheen bli-Maseeh i'tamadtom al-Maseeh qad labistom, Allilouia!
Ossi ees Christon evaptisthiteh, Christon enedheesasthen, Allilouia!

Apostolos

Tim. 2:11-14 and 3:4-7

Gospel

Mt. 3:13-17

Kontakion, Troparion, Exapostilarion, and Vespers Sticheron

KONTAKION (TONE 4)
Today You have appeared to the world, O Lord, and your light has shone upon us. Realizing who You are, we sing to You a hymn of praise. O Inaccessible Light, You have come and revealed yourself to us!

TROPARION (TONE 1)
At Your baptism in the Jordan, O Lord, the worship of the Trinity was revealed, for the Father's voice bore witness to You by calling You His beloved son, and the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the truth of these words. O Christ God, who have appeared to us and enlightened the world, glory to You!

Antiphon

Palsm 117
O Son of God, who were baptized by John in the Jordan River, save us who sing to You. Alleluia.
Khallisna YabnAllah, ya man 'attnada min Youhanafil Urdoun, nahnul muranneemeena Laka. Haleloueya.

Great Blessing of Water

Great Blessing of Water

History

Holy Theophany is one of the oldest feasts. It was celebrated in the 2nd Century. In the 3rd Century, the Western Rite accepted this feast. This Feast was celebrated by both East and West on January 6 to commemorate the birth of Christ, his baptism in the River Jordan, and the adoration of the Magi. This Feast's name was the Celebration of the Divine Theophany, the manifestation of Christ our God and His declaration to the World that He was the beloved Son of the Father. Later, the West changed the date of the celebration of the Birth of Christ to December 25. Still later, the Great Feast of the Nativity According to the Flesh of Holy God the Son within the Holy Trinity / Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ was adopted in the East.

Eparch Cyril Salim Bustros 's Letter, Melkite Greek Catholic, Church Eparchy of Newton (Our Lady of the Annunciation (Al Bisharah) in Roslindale, Massachusetts), United States

2008

Paper

Feast of the Theophany of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ Saint Ann's Melkite Catholic Church, West Patterson, NJ

More Information

The Theophany Saint Joseph Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Lawrence, Massachusetts, Click on Fixed Feasts of the Lord

Ikon

The Theophany Saint Joseph Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Lawrence, Massachusetts, Click on Fixed Feasts of the Lord

Afterwards

After Holy God the Son within the Holy Trinity / Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ's baptism, he fasted and prayed for 40 days in the wilderness and was tempted by the devil.

 

Holy God the Son within the Holy Trinity / Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ's Feast of Feasts and Great Feasts
FeastEvent
Commem-
orated
Action
of Event
Significance
of Event
CelebrateApostolosGospelDateClass
Annun-
ciation
of
Theotokos
Ever
Virgin Mary
Jesus
Christ's

conception
in
human
form
Incar-
nation.
Future
Theotokos'
accepting
Holy God's will
saying yes
to Holy God.
Holy God
becomes
human
Incar-
nation.
Beginning
of process
of our
redemption.
Heb.
2:11-18
Lk.
1:24-38
25
March
Great
Feast
Class
2
Nativity
According
to Flesh
of Our Lord,
God
Savior,
Jesus
Christ
Jesus
Christ's

birth
in
human
form.
Jesus
Christ
being born
in human
form.
Messiah
is born.
Jesus
Christ's
birthday.
Gal.
4:4-7
Mt.
2:1-12
25
Dec.
Great
Feast
Class
1
Circum-
cision
of Our Lord,
God
Savior,
Jesus
Christ
Jesus
Christ's

Naming
and
Circum-
cision.
Jesus
Christ
submitted
to
Mosaic
Law.
Jesus
Christ
is
named
Jesus
Christ's
Naming
and
Circum-
cision.
Col.
2:8-12
Lk.
2:20-21,
40-52
1
Jan.
Feast
Class
3
ºHoly
Hypapanty
of Our Lord,
God
Savior,
Jesus
Christ

ºPurifi-
cation
of
Theotokos
ºJesus
Christ's

presen-
tation
at Temple.


ºTheotokos'
purification.
Theotokos
bringing
Jesus
Christ
to Temple
at prescribed
time
for prescribed
rituals.
Messiah's
first
meeting
with
His
people.
A step
in process
of our
redemption.
Heb.
7:7-17
Lk.
2:22-40
2
Feb.
Great
Feast
Class
2
Holy
Theophany
of Our Lord,
God
Savior,
Jesus
Christ
Jesus
Christ's

baptism
Holy
Prophet
and
Glorious
Fore-
runner
John Baptist

baptizing
Our Lord,
God
Savior,
Jesus
Christ
in
River
Jordan.
ºAs an
adult,
Jesus
Christ
shows
His
people
that He
is Holy God
(manifestation
Jesus
Christ
to the world).

ºHoly God
shows
His
people
that Holy God
is a
Holy Trinity.
ºJesus
Christ
is Holy God.

ºHoly God
is a
Holy
Trinity
Tim.
2:11-14,
3:4-7
Mt.
3:13-17
6
Jan.
Great
Feast
Class
1
Transfig-
uration
of Our Lord,
God
Savior,
Jesus
Christ
Jesus
Christ's

transfig-
uration
Jesus
Christ
showing
His
disciples
"...as
much of
His glory
as they
could
behold...".
Jesus
Christ
is both
fully
Holy God
and
fully man.
ºReve-
lation
of glory
of
Holy God

ºConfir-
mation
of two
natures
of
Jesus
Christ
both
fully
Holy God
and
fully
human.
2
Pet.
1:10-19
Mt.
17:1-9
6
Aug.
Great
Feast
Class
1
Triumphal
Entry
of Our Lord,
God
Savior,
Jesus
Christ into
Jerusalem
Holy and
Glorious
Palm Sun.
Shaneeneh
Jesus
Christ's

triumphal
entrance
into
Jerusalem.
Children
throwing
garments
into
Jesus
Christ's
path,
pulling down
branches
from olive
and palm
trees,
putting them
in the
road,
and
waving them
in air,
shouting
"Hosanna!
Blessed is
He
who
comes
in the
name
of the Lord!"
Jesus
Christ's
people
hailing Him
as Messiah.
Jesus
Christ
is
Messiah.
Phil.
4:4-9
John
12:1-18
7
days
before
Pascha
Great
Feast
Class
1
Great and
Holy Friday
Jesus
Christ's

death
in
human form
on
Holy Cross
Jesus
Christ
dies on
Holy Cross
Holy God
redeems
our souls.
We have
possi-
bility
of
"eternal
life".
1
Cor.
1:18-24
John
5:48-55
2
days
before
Pascha
Great
Holy
Fri.
Holy and
Glorious
Pascha
Jesus
Christ's

resurrection
in
human form
Jesus
Christ
rising
from dead
and giving
"eternal
life"
to good.
ºJesus
Christ
is Holy God.

ºOpening
possi-
bility
of
"eternal
life"
ºJesus
Christ's
victory
over
death.

ºWe have
possi-
bility
of
"eternal
life".
Acts
1:1-9
John
1:1-17
1st
Sun.
after
1st
full
moon
after
03/20
Ear-
liest
is
03/22
latest
is
04/25.
Feasts
of
Feasts
Ascension
into Heaven
of Our Lord,
God
Savior,
Jesus
Christ
Jesus
Christ's

ascension
in
human form
into heaven.
Jesus
Christ
going
to heaven.
Jesus
Christ
is Holy God.
Jesus
Christ's
victory
over
death.
Acts
1:1-12
Lk.
24:36-53
40th
day
of
Pascha
Great
Feast
Class
1
Exaltation
of Precious
and
Lifegiving
Holy Cross
Jesus
Christ's

Holy Cross
is found.
ºSt Helena
finding
Holy Cross

ºRecovering
Holy Cross
from
Persians,
returning
It to
Jerusalem,
and
raising
It up
(exalting).
Holy Cross
is a sign
of glory
and victory.
Jesus
Christ's
victory
over death.
1
Cor.
1:18-24
John
19:6-11,
13-20,
25-28a,
30-35a
14
Sept.
Great
Feast
Class
1

Liturgical Cycle

Liturgical Cycle

Great Feast Days

Great Feast Days

Feasts Days - Specific

Holy God the Son within the Holy Trinity / Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ
The Theotokos
The Holy Prophet and Glorious Forerunner John the Baptist


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Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center
Martha Liles
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Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center is dedicated to my cousins: Bucky (Richard C. Liles), Shirley (Shirley Jean Liles Buck), and Donna (Donna Bertha Liles Campbell). Bucky fell asleep in the Lord on Dec. 12, 2000, Shirley fell asleep in the Lord on Nov. 8, 2001, and Donna fell asleep in the Lord on March 9, 2020.
O God of all spirits and of all flesh, who have destroyed death, overcome the devil, and given life to the world: grant, O Lord, to the souls of your servants Bucky and Shirley, who has departed from this life, that it may rest in a place of light, in a place of happiness, in a place of peace, where there is no pain, no grief, no sighing. And since You are a gracious God and the Lover of Mankind, forgive him/her every sin he/she has committed by thought, or word, or deed, for there is not a man who lives and does not sin : You alone are without sin, your righteousness is everlasting, and your word is true. You are the Resurrection and the Life, and the repose of your departed servants Bucky and Shirley. O Christ our God, and we send up glory to You, together with your eternal Father and your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and always and for ages upon ages. Amen.

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