Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center Great Feast of the Holy Theophany of Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ

Feast of Feasts and Great Feasts
Feast	Event Commem- orated	Action of Event	Significance of Event	Celebrate	Apostolos	Gospel	Date	Class
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:

The revelation that Holy God the Son within the Holy Trinity / Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ is Holy God. The manifestation of God's glory, of His love for mankind, of His mercy and compassion expressed in the Person of Holy God the Son within the Holy Trinity / Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ when He was Baptized by Holy Prophet and Glorious Forerunner John the Baptist in the River Jordan.
The revelation that Holy God is a Holy Trinity: Holy God the Father as a voice, Holy God the Son as a man, Holy God the Son within the Holy Trinity / Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ, and Holy God the Holy Spirit as a dove.

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 replaced by the Baptismal Hymn

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

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
Feast	Event Commem- orated	Action of Event	Significance of Event	Celebrate	Apostolos	Gospel	Date	Class
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

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

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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