Understanding the true meaning of Epiphany

Maria Angeliadis is a science teacher at Paul R. Smith Middle School in Holiday and an adjunct professor at St. Petersburg College. She helped develop the religious program for the Epiphany divers.

This year, we have asked our divers to participate in Catechetical lessons; in the ancient church catechumens were those who were undergoing training instruction in the faith in preparation for their Christian baptism. While our young men are baptized in the Orthodox faith, we feel it is important that they continue to learn the importance of Theophany, the baptism of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and the manifestation of the Holy Trinity. Along with the excitement of diving for the Cross, the lessons they have learned about the Theophany will become an experience they will carry with them forever.

The lessons written for the divers included information on St. John the Forerunner, his mission to teach repentance, our Lord's baptism and the students' connection with their own baptism. We asked the students questions dealing with the Celebration of our Lord's baptism. Some of them follow:

When is Theophany celebrated? What does it commemorate? What is another name for this feast?

The feast of Theophany is celebrated on Jan 6th, and commemorates the baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ. The word "Theophany" means a "manifestation of God". This is similar to another word by which this feast is known, "Epiphany", which just means "manifestation."

Which evangelists report the baptism of Christ?

All four evangelists report the baptism of Christ, and the preaching and baptizing of the Holy Prophet and Forerunner and Baptist John.

Why was Christ baptized?

Our Lord was baptized as an example for us, to point out the necessity of baptism for man. There is no requirement that He has made for us that He did not fulfill Himself, including baptism. He did everything as a man that He requires of us, as men.

What happened immediately after the Lord's baptism? What can we infer from this?

"And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: {17} And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Mat 3:16-17)

Why did St. John the Baptist baptize?

The Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John's whole ministry was to point towards Christ. He himself tells us why he baptized: "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire" (Mat 3:11)

What major event in Israel points to baptism? Are there others?

The passage of the children of Israel through the Red Sea is a type of baptism.

Baptism is also alluded to in the magnificent event of the taking up of the Holy Prophet Elias in the chariot: "The river Jordan was once turned back by the mantle of Elisseus when Elias had been taken up, and the waters were divided hither and thither. And for him the watery path became dry, verily as a type of baptism, whereby we cross the flowing stream of life. Christ hath appeared in the Jordan to sanctify the waters." (Troparion of the Forefeast of Theophany. Tone 4)

Name at least five Theophanies in the Old Testament and one besides the baptism of the Lord in the New Testament:

The Angel in the Furnace.

The Three Angels who met Abraham.

Moses and the burning bush.

Elias in the cave and the "still small voice".

The Transfiguration of Christ

The previous questions were a part of the lessons written to help our divers recognize the importance of the events they are about to celebrate. It is our hope that the lessons written and presented will help the divers understand the importance of the day they celebrate with a dive into the chilly waters of the bayou. The Theophany, which represent the manifestation of the Holy Trinity, is a commemoration of the baptism of our Lord and a wonderful opportunity for the divers to connect with the beauty of our Orthodoxy.