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Theophany

2007-03-20T11:18:33Z

Oneone99: /* External links */

[[Image:Theophany.jpg|right|frame|The Baptism of Christ]]
'''Theophany''' (from Greek ''theophania'', meaning "appearance of God") is one of the [[Great Feasts]] of the [[Orthodox Church]], celebrated on [[January 6]]. It is the feast which reveals the Most Holy Trinity to the world through the Baptism of the Lord (Mt.3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22).

==Baptism of Christ==
This observance commemorates [[Jesus Christ|Christ]]'s [[baptism]] by [[John the Forerunner]] in the River Jordan, and the beginning of Christ's earthly ministry. The Feast of Theophany is the culmination of the Christmas Season, which starts on [[December 25]] and ends on [[January 6]]. In mystic commemoration of this event, the [[Great Blessing of Water]] is performed on this day, and the [[holy water]] so blessed is used by the local [[priest]] to bless the homes of the faithful.

The feast is called ''Theophany'' because at the baptism of Christ the [[Holy Trinity]] appeared clearly to mankind for the first time -- the [[Father]]'s voice is heard from [[Heaven]], the [[Son of God]] is [[incarnation|incarnate]] and standing physically in the Jordan, and the [[Holy Spirit]] descends on Him in the form of a dove.

==Epiphany==
This feast is also sometimes referred to as ''Epiphany'' by English-speaking Orthodox Christians, but that name more properly refers to the Western Christian feast falling on that same day and commemorating the visit of the Magi to the child Jesus. The term "Epiphany" does appear in the services for this feast, however.

Originally, there was just one Christian feast of the ''shining forth of God to the world in the human form of Jesus of Nazareth''. It included the celebration of [[Nativity|Christ's birth]], the adoration of the Wisemen, and all of the childhood events of Christ such as [[Circumcision of our Lord|his circumcision]] and [[Presentation|presentation to the temple]] as well as his baptism by John in the Jordan. There seems to be little doubt that this feast, like Easter and Pentecost, was understood as the fulfillment of a previous Jewish festival, in this case the Feast of Lights.

==Celebration of the feast==
The services of Theophany are set up exactly as those of the [[Nativity]]. Historically the Christmas services were established later.

The [[Royal Hours]] are read and the [[Divine Liturgy]] of St. [[Basil the Great]] is served with [[Vespers]] on the eve of the feast. The Vigil is made up of Great Compline and [[Matins]]

The Liturgy of the feast begins with psalms of glorification and praise instead of the three normal [[Antiphons]]. And the baptismal line from [[Galatians]] 3:27 once again replaces the [[Trisagion|Thrice-Holy]].
:''For as many as been baptized into Christ,''
:''have put on Christ''
:''Alleluia''
The [[gospel]] readings of all the services tell of the Lord's baptism by John in the Jordan River. The [[epistle]] reading of the Divine Liturgy tells of the consequences of the Lord's appearing which is the divine epiphany.

Since the main feature of the feast is the blessing of water. It is prescribed to follow both the Divine Liturgy of the eve of the feast and the Divine Liturgy of the day itself. But most local parishes do it only once when most of the parishioners can be present. The blessing verifies that mankind, and all of creation, were created to be filled with the sanctifying presence of God.

== Hymns ==
(Troparion - Tone 1) [http://www.oca.org/FSTropars.asp?SID=13&ID=100106]

:When You, O Lord were baptized in the Jordan
:The worship of the Trinity was made manifest
:For the voice of the Father bore witness to You
:And called You His beloved Son.
:And the Spirit, in the form of a dove,
:Confirmed the truthfulness of His word.
:O Christ, our God, You have revealed Yourself
:And have enlightened the world, glory to You!

(Kontakion - Tone 4)

:Today You have shown forth to the world, O Lord,
:and the light of Your countenance has been marked on us.
:Knowing You, we sing Your praises.
:You have come and revealed Yourself,
:O unapproachable Light.

==External links==
*[http://www.oca.org/FSsermons-details.asp?SID=4&ID=5 Discourse On the Day of the Baptism of Christ] Saint [[John Chrysostom]], Archbishop of Constantinople
*[http://oca.org/OCchapter.asp?SID=2&ID=81 Epiphany] ''The Orthodox Faith'' by Fr. [[Thomas Hopko]]
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsLife.asp?FSID=100106 Feast of the Theophany of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ] - [[OCA]] website
*[http://www.tenthousandfilms.com/ The Baptism of Christ - Uncovering Bethany beyond the Jordan - 47 min Documentary]

[[Category:Featured Articles]]
[[Category:Great Feasts]]
[[Category:Feasts]]

John the Forerunner

2007-03-20T11:16:01Z

Oneone99: /* Relics */

[[image:Johnforerunner.jpg|right|thumb|St John the Forerunner, the cousin of Christ and last of the prophets.]]The glorious [[Prophet]] and Forerunner '''John the Baptist''' is also refered to as '''John the Forerunner''' because he was the forerunner of [[Christ]]. He was an [[ascetic]] and great prophet, who [[baptism|baptized]] Christ and became one of the most revered [[saint]]s in the [[Orthodox Church]]. John is a cousin of Christ through his mother [[Elizabeth]] who was the daughter of Zoia. Zoia is the sister of Christ's [[Anna|grandmother]]. He was later beheaded by Herod in the first century to statisfy the request of Herod's stepdaughter, Salome, and wife Herodias. Because he baptized Christ, he is the [[patron saint]] of [[godparent]]s. He is sometimes called the ''Angel of the Desert''; because of this title, he is sometimes depicted with wings.

[[Book of Isaiah|Isaiah]] 40:3-5 is commonly read as a prophecy of John. His father, [[Zacharias]], was a [[priest]] of the course of Abia ([[I Paraleipomenon|1 Chr.]] 24:10), and his mother, Elizabeth, was of the daughters of Aaron ([[Gospel of Luke|Luke]] 1:5). John held the priesthood of [[Aaron]], giving him the authority to perform baptisms of God.

His birth took place six months before that of Jesus, and according to the [[Gospel]] account was expected by prophecy ([[Gospel of Matthew|Matt.]] 3:3; Isa. 40:3; [[Book of Malachi|Mal.]] 3:1) and foretold by an [[angel]]. Zacharias lost his power of speech because of his unbelief over the birth of his son, and had it restored on the occasion of John's circumcision (Luke 1:64).

John was a [[Nazarite]] from his birth (Luke 1:15; [[Numbers|Num.]] 6:1-12). He spent his early years in the mountainous tract of Judea lying between Jerusalem and the Dead Sea (Matt. 3:1-12). He led a simple life, wearing rope (gamla) fiber clothing and eating "locusts and wild honey" (Matt. 3:4).

As an adult John started to preach in public, and people from "every quarter" were attracted to his message. The essence of his preaching was the necessity of repentance and turning away from selfish pursuits. He denounced the Sadducees and Pharisees as a "generation of vipers," and warned them not to assume their heritage gave them special privilege (Luke 3:8). He warned tax collectors and soldiers against extortion and plunder. His doctrine and manner of life stirred interest, bringing people from all parts to see him on the banks of the Jordan River. There he baptized thousands unto repentance.

The fame of John reached the ears of Jesus in Nazareth (Matt. 3:5), and he came from Galilee to Jordan to be baptized by John, on the special ground that it became him to "fulfill all righteousness" (Matt. 3:15). John's special office ceased with the baptism of Jesus, who must now "increase" as the King come to his kingdom. He continued, however, for a while to bear testimony to the Messiahship of Jesus. He pointed him out to his [[disciple]]s, saying, "Behold the Lamb of God." His public ministry was suddenly (after about six months probably) brought to a close by his being cast into prison by Herod, whom he had reproved for the sin of having taken to himself the wife of his brother Philip (Luke 3:19). He was shut up in the castle of Machaerus, a fortress on the southern extremity of Peraea, 9 miles east of the Dead Sea, and here he was beheaded at the instigation of Herodias; later tradition also implicates Salomé. His disciples, having consigned the headless body to the grave, went and told Jesus all that had occurred (Matt. 14:3-12). John's death occurred apparently just before the third [[Passover]] of Jesus' ministry.

Jesus himself testified regarding John that he was a "burning and a shining light" (John 5:35). John was the last of the Old Testament prophets, thus serving as a bridge figure between that period of revelation and Jesus. They also embrace a tradition that, following his death, John descended into Hell and there once more preached that Jesus the Messiah was coming.

== Feast Days ==
The Orthodox Church remembers Saint John the Forerunner on six separate feast days, listed here in order of the church year which begins on September 1:

*[[September 23]] - Conception of St. John the Forerunner
*[[January 7]] - [[Synaxis of the Baptist|The Commemoration of St. John the Forerunner]] (main feast day, immediately after Epiphany on January 6)
*[[February 24]] - First and Second Finding of the Head of St. John the Forerunner
*[[May 25]] - Third Finding of the Head of St. John the Forerunner
*[[June 24]] - Birth of St. John the Forerunner
*[[August 29]] - The Beheading of St. John the Forerunner

== Relics ==
*St. Demetrios Church, Neo Phaleron, Piraeus
*Benaki Museum, Athens
*Topkapi Museum, Constatinople
*Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, Syria
*Cetinje Monastery, Montenegro (righ palm)

== Related links ==

* [http://www.tenthousandfilms.com/ The Baptism of Christ - Uncovering Bethany beyond the Jordan - 47 min Documentary; includes interviews with various Eastern Orthodox representatives, incl. Greek Orthodox Bishop Vindictus of Jordan]

[[Category:Biblical Saints]]
[[Category:Saints]]

[[ro:Ioan Botezătorul]]

Baptism

2007-03-20T11:14:06Z

Oneone99: /* External links */

{{spirituality}}
Christian '''Baptism''' is the [[sacrament]] of starting anew, of dying to an old, way of life and being born again into a new way of life, in Christ. In the Orthodox Church, baptism is "for the remission of sins" (cf. the [[Nicene Creed]]) and the entrance into the Church.

==Orthodox teaching on baptism==
"'''We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins'''."

These words, found in the [[Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed]], simply and yet boldly declare Orthodox teaching on baptism. The baptismal experience is often considered the fundamental Christian experience.
==Immersion in water==
The word baptize derives from [http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Greek/grk.cgi?number=907 baptizo], the transliterated form of the Greek word βάπτειν or baptivzw. In a historical context, it means "to dip, plunge, or immerse" something entirely, e.g. into water. Although commonly associated with Christian baptism, the word is known to have been used in other contexts. For instance, a 2nd century author named [[Wikipedia:Nicander|Nicander]] wrote down a pickle recipe which illustrates the common use of the word. He first says that the pickle should be dipped (bapto) into boiling water, followed by a complete submersion (baptizo) in a vinegar solution. The word was also used to explain the process of submerging cloth into a colored dye. The Christian ritual of water baptism traces back to Saint [[John the Forerunner]], who the [[Holy Scripture | Bible]] says baptized many, including Jesus. Certain forms of baptism were practiced in the Old Testament. Additionally, baptism was practiced in some pagan religions as a sign of death and rebirth.

==Baptism as a Sacrament==

In contrast to a common Protestant viewpoint, baptism is more than just a symbolic act of burial and resurrection, but an actual supernatural transformation. Baptism is believed to impart cleansing (remission) of sins and union with Christ in his death, burial and resurrection (see [http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Romans%206:3-5;&version=9; Romans 6:3-5]; [http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Colossians%202:12,%203:1-4;&version=9; Colossians 2:12, 3:1-4]).

[[Image:Transfiguration_Baptism.jpg|thumb|150px|Full immersion is a hallmark of an Orthodox baptism.]]
Baptism is performed by the three-fold immersion of a person in the name of the [[Holy Trinity]]. That is, a person is immersed "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit," once for each person of the Holy Trinity. The practice of baptism by the pouring or sprinkling of water, instead of full immersion, is not taught or practiced in the Orthodox Church as in some [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] and Protestant churches. Baptism is immediately followed by [[Chrismation]] and [[Eucharist|Holy Communion]] at the next [[Divine Liturgy]], regardless of age.

===Catechumen===
Adults are baptized after they have completed their time as a [[catechumen]].

===Infant Baptism===
The Orthodox also practice infant baptism on the basis of various texts (e.g. [[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]] 19:14) which are interpreted to condone full Church membership for children. This is generally based on a confession of faith for a child by his or her [[godparent]]s. The Orthodox Church does not practice infant baptism in order to cleanse the taint of [[original sin]], because this doctrine is not taught in the Orthodox Church.

===Validity of a baptism===
Because the Sacrament of Baptism has actual spiritual and salvific effects, certain criteria must be complied with for it to be valid (i.e., to actually have those effects). Baptism in water is assumed. Violation of some rules regarding baptism render the baptism illicit (i.e., a violation of the [[canon law|church's laws]], and a [[sin]] for those who willingly and knowingly participate in it), and yet still valid. For example, if a [[priest]] introduces some unauthorized variation in the ceremony, the baptism is still valid so long as certain key criteria are still met, even though the priest has violated the church's law and thus sinned, and so have the other participants if they know the priest's behaviour is illict.

In normal circumstances, a licit baptism must be performed by a priest or a [[deacon]]. However, in cases of a genuine emergency, anyone may perform the baptism.

One of the criteria for validity is that the correct form of words be used. Orthodox use the form "Let this servant of Christ be baptized..." or "This person is baptized by my hands..." Catholics use the form "I baptize you..." However, both churches recognize the other's form as valid. The Catholic Church teaches that the use of the verb "baptize" is essential.

It is also considered essential that the Trinitarian formula is used. Baptisms from non-Trinitarian churches, such as Oneness Pentecostal, are generally not considered valid. There was an ancient controversy over baptism using the formula that Oneness Pentecostals use, with some ancient authorities holding it to be valid. However, this was motivated by the apparent use of that formula at some places in [[scripture]], not by anti-Trinitarian considerations (which might well invalidate the baptism even if that formula is valid). The most significant part, some [[theologian]]s have argued, is not so much the Trinitarian wording, as the Trinitarian intention, and the recognition that the baptism involves all three Persons.

Some theologians have also argued that sprinkling on a part of the body other than the head in an emergency would also be valid.

A person, once baptized, cannot be baptized again. There was an ancient practice in some areas of rebaptizing those who had returned to the church from [[heresy]], but that practice has been universally rejected.

====Baptism by non-Orthodox====
The various jurisdictions of the Orthodox Church generally accept baptism performed by other denominations as valid, subject to certain conditions. It is only possible to be baptized once, thus people with valid baptisms from other denominations may not be baptized again on [[conversion]]. Instead, for these converts the sacrament of chrismation is performed. However, in some cases it can be difficult to decide whether the original baptism was valid, so if there is any doubt, a conditional baptism is employed, in which the officiant says something of the form of "if you are not yet baptized, I baptize you..." The need for conditional baptisms is motivated not only by factual uncertainties regarding the original baptism, but also by the uncertainty of some of the baptismal theology regarding the precise conditions for the validity of baptism. (The Church holds that one cannot be certain that opinions which are offered by pious theologians, but on which the Church has not made an authoritative pronouncement, are correct, and even authoritative pronouncements can have multiple interpretations which the Church has neither definitively endorsed or rejected.)

==Jewish Background==

The ritual of baptism is prefigured in the purification rites of Jewish law and tradition. In the Tanakh and tradition of the teachers of the Torah, a ritual bath for purification from uncleanness used to be required under specified circumstances in order to be restored to a condition of ritual purity. For example, women after menses, and after a number of blood-free days following child-birth, were washed in a ritual bath, called a mikvah. Those who became ritually defiled by contact with something infectious, would also use the mikveh as part of their healing. Washing was also required for converts. Through practices such as these, immersion in the mikveh came to represent purification and restoration, and qualification for full religious participation in the life of the community (Book of Numbers Chapter 19). Traditional conversion to Judaism also requires a mikvah, so for converts Jewish initiation is in some ways similar to Christian initiation, although the term baptism is not used to describe the Jewish conversion.

==Baptism in the Gospels==

===St. John the Forerunner===
A preliminary understanding of baptism starts with St. John the Forerunner, the cousin of [[Jesus]]. John spoke of a baptism of repentance in preparation for the coming of the Messiah.

:"And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; And all flesh shall see the salvation of God." ([http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Luke%203:3-6;&version=9; Luke 3:3-6 KJV], also see [http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Matthew%203:1-6;&version=9; Matthew 3:1-6], [http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=mark%201:1-5;&version=9; Mark 1:1-5])

In regards to his relationship to the coming Messiah, John also spoke of another kind of baptism.

:"John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable." ([http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Luke%203:16-17;&version=9; Luke 3:16-17 KJV], also see [http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Matthew%203:7-12;&version=9; Matthew 3:7-12], [http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Mark%201:6-8;&version=9; Mark 1:6-8])

===Baptism of Christ===
[[Image:Baptism of Christ.jpg|thumb|150px|Baptism of Christ ([[Theophany]])]]
During John's earthly ministry Jesus came to receive baptism from John:

:"And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God." ([http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=John%201:32-34;&version=9; John 1:32-34 KJV], also see [http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Matthew%203:13-17;&version=9; Matthew 3:13-17], [http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Mark%201:9-11;&version=9; Mark 1:9-11])

There also seems to be some reference to Jesus and/or his disciples baptizing individuals, before His death on the cross (see [http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=John%203:22-26;&version=9; John 3:22-26], [http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=John%204:1-3;&version=9; John 4:1-3]).

===The Great Commission===
After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to the disciples and spoke to them saying,

:"...All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." ([http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Matthew%2028:18-20;&version=9; Matthew 28:18-20 KJV], also see [http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Mark%2016:14-20;&version=9; Mark 16:14-20], [http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Acts%202:38;&version=9; Acts 2:38])

The commandment of the Lord to baptize "in the name of Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" was the practice of the early Church and is still the Orthodox method for baptizing today. (see [http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Acts%202:38;%208:16;%2010:48;%2019:5;&version=9; Acts 2:38; 8:16; 10:48; 19:5]).

== [[Church Fathers]] on Baptism ==

<blockquote>"...Concerning the water, indeed, it is written, in reference to the Israelites, that they should not receive that baptism which leads to the remission of sins, but should procure another for themselves..." (The [[Epistle of Barnabas]], [http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/barnabas-roberts.html Chapter 11], Roberts-Donaldson)</blockquote>

<blockquote>"Blessed are they who, placing their trust in the cross, have gone down into the water...we indeed descend into the water full of sins and defilement, but come up, bearing fruit in our heart, having the fear [of God] and trust in Jesus in our spirit." (The Epistle of Barnabas, Chapter 11, Roberts-Donaldson)</blockquote>

<blockquote>"He was born and baptized, that by His passion He might purify the water." (The [[Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians]], [http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/ignatius-ephesians-roberts.html Chapter 18], Roberts-Donaldson)</blockquote>

== Protestants on Baptism ==

Many protestants through the ages have de-emphasized the role of baptism in the Christian faith. In reality, a number of the people involved in the Protestant Reformation came out of the [[Roman Catholic Church]] with a reverence for the [[Holy Mysteries | holy mysteries]] and [[Holy Tradition | apostolic tradition]].

[[Martin Luther]] placed a great importance on baptism. Luther states in ''The Large Catechism'' of 1529 AD,

<blockquote>"To put it most simply, the power, effect, benefit, fruit, and purpose of Baptism is to save. No one is baptized in order to become a prince, but as the words say, to 'be saved.' To be saved, we know, is nothing else than to be delivered from sin, death, and the devil and to enter into the kingdom of Christ and live with him forever."</blockquote>

==External links==
* [http://bible.gospelcom.net/quicksearch/?quicksearch=baptize&qs_version=9 Bible search on baptize]
* [http://www.goarch.org/en/chapel/liturgical_texts/baptism.asp The Service of Holy Baptism] ([[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America]])
* [http://oca.org/OCchapter.asp?SID=2&ID=51 Baptism] ''The Orthodox Faith'' by Fr. [[Thomas Hopko]]
* [http://www.tenthousandfilms.com/ The Baptism of Christ - Uncovering Bethany beyond the Jordan - 47 min Documentary; includes interviews with various Eastern Orthodox representatives, incl. Greek Orthodox Bishop Vindictus of Jordan]

===Baptism and Ecumenism===
*[http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/faith/faverg.html Becoming a Christian: The Ecumenical Implications of Our Common Baptism]

[[Category:Sacraments]]