Theophany of Our Lord (Baptism of Christ)
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Gospel Reading
Matthew 3:13-17
¹³ Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. ¹⁴ But John would have hindered him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?” ¹⁵ But Jesus, answering, said to him, “Allow it now, for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed him. ¹⁶ Jesus, when he was baptized, went up directly from the water: and behold, the heavens were opened to him. He saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming on him. ¹⁷ Behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
Epistle Reading
Titus 2:11-14
¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, ¹² instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age; ¹³ looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ; ¹⁴ who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good works.
Titus 3:4-7
⁴ But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love toward mankind appeared, ⁵ not by works of righteousness which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom he poured out on us richly, through Jesus Christ our Savior; ⁷ that being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Saint of the Day
The Theophany (“manifestation of God”) commemorates the baptism of Christ by St. John the Forerunner in the Jordan River, when, according to the Gospels, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in the form of a dove and the voice of the Father was heard from heaven declaring Him His beloved Son.
The feast is called Theophany because it is here that the Holy Trinity was first revealed openly to the world. It is marked in the Orthodox Church by the Great Blessing of Water, recalling how Christ's entry into the Jordan sanctified all waters, and the faithful take home the newly blessed water to drink and to bless their homes.