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Annual Theophany Miracle at the River Jordan
The annual Theophany miracle is a re-creation of Psalm 113/114 when the "sea beheld and fled, Jordan turned back" (verse 3), as well as the parting of the Jordan for Elisha (2 Kings 13-14). This is depicted in icons which display the swirling waters at the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan.
What of this miracle and other miracles like the Holy Fire of Pascha and Holy Cloud of the Transfiguration, all unique to the Orthodox Church?
St Paisios of the Holy Mountain reminds us, "From the outside, all things pertaining to the spiritual life seem upside down. Indeed, the mysteries of God will be impossible to know and will appear strange and contrary to nature as long as we don't overturn our secular mindset and see everything with spiritual eyes. Those who believe that they can come to know God's mysteries through mere scientific theory, without a spiritual life, resemble a fool who thinks he can look through a telescope and see Paradise."
The annual Theophany miracle is a re-creation of Psalm 113/114 when the "sea beheld and fled, Jordan turned back" (verse 3), as well as the parting of the Jordan for Elisha (2 Kings 13-14). This is depicted in icons which display the swirling waters at the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan.
What of this miracle and other miracles like the Holy Fire of Pascha and Holy Cloud of the Transfiguration, all unique to the Orthodox Church?
St Paisios of the Holy Mountain reminds us, "From the outside, all things pertaining to the spiritual life seem upside down. Indeed, the mysteries of God will be impossible to know and will appear strange and contrary to nature as long as we don't overturn our secular mindset and see everything with spiritual eyes. Those who believe that they can come to know God's mysteries through mere scientific theory, without a spiritual life, resemble a fool who thinks he can look through a telescope and see Paradise."
"The potency of prayer hath subdued the strength of fire; it hath bridled the rage of lions, hushed anarchy to rest, extinguished wars, appeased the elements, expelled demons, burst the chains of death, expanded the gates of heaven, assuaged diseases, repelled frauds, rescued cities from destruction, stayed the sun in its course, and arrested the progress of the thunderbolt." + St John Chrysostom
"The world is against you, Athanasius!"
"Then I am against the world."
Saint Athanasius (Jan 18/ Jan 31) didn't "go with the flow". Fighting against the Arian heresy, St Athanasius defied 4 emperors and lived with the constant threat of death. More than 20 of his 50 years as bishop were spent in exile.
St Athanasius, radiant beacon of Orthodoxy, pray to Christ our God to give us courage to stand for truth against all compromise.
"Then I am against the world."
Saint Athanasius (Jan 18/ Jan 31) didn't "go with the flow". Fighting against the Arian heresy, St Athanasius defied 4 emperors and lived with the constant threat of death. More than 20 of his 50 years as bishop were spent in exile.
St Athanasius, radiant beacon of Orthodoxy, pray to Christ our God to give us courage to stand for truth against all compromise.
Christ’s baptism in the Jordan was “theophany,” a manifestation of God to the world, because it was the beginning of our Lord’s public ministry. It was also a “theophany” in that the world was granted a revelation of the Holy Trinity. All three Persons were made manifest together: the Father testified from on high to the divine Sonship of Jesus; the Son received His Father’s testimony; and the Spirit was seen in the form of a dove, descending from the Father and resting upon the Son.
The theme of “manifestation” or “revelation” is also expressed in Scripture with the symbolism of light. In the hymn of the Feast we sing, “Christ has appeared and enlightened the world.” Thus, January 6 is also known as the Feast of Lights. The Church celebrates on this day the illumination of the world by the light of Christ.
—Abbot Tryphon, All Merciful Savior Monastery, Vaschon Island, Washington
The theme of “manifestation” or “revelation” is also expressed in Scripture with the symbolism of light. In the hymn of the Feast we sing, “Christ has appeared and enlightened the world.” Thus, January 6 is also known as the Feast of Lights. The Church celebrates on this day the illumination of the world by the light of Christ.
—Abbot Tryphon, All Merciful Savior Monastery, Vaschon Island, Washington
“If you do not have a confessional spirit … [i]t will be hard to answer before God, Whom you did not confess openly, but only secretly, for fear of ridicule.”
☦️ St Alexy (Solovyov)
“My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion.” —Philadelphia Flyers’ Ivan Provorov, after refusing to wear LGBTQ jersey in 2023
☦️ St Alexy (Solovyov)
“My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion.” —Philadelphia Flyers’ Ivan Provorov, after refusing to wear LGBTQ jersey in 2023
"Christ is illumined, let us shine forth with Him. Christ is baptized, let us descend with Him that we may also ascend with Him." ☦️ St. Gregory Nazianzen, Oration on the Holy Lights.
Theophany (Epiphany) is also known as the Feast of Lights, a day in which the Church celebrates the illumination of the world by the light of Christ.
Image: Imperial menology, 11th century
Theophany (Epiphany) is also known as the Feast of Lights, a day in which the Church celebrates the illumination of the world by the light of Christ.
Image: Imperial menology, 11th century
“Difficult times are our lot, but we Christians must choose the Cross. Christ has placed us on His sleigh, and he will take us where He will.”
+St Matrona, the Righteous Wonderworker of Moscow
St Matrona led an ascetic life on her bed of pain. She fasted constantly, slept little, her head resting on her chest. Her forehead was dented from making innumerable signs of the Cross that she made. People from afar, of all ages and conditions, thronged around her to seek her wisdom and her prayers. Miracles continue at her tomb at the women’s monastery of the Protecting Veil of the Mother of God
+St Matrona, the Righteous Wonderworker of Moscow
St Matrona led an ascetic life on her bed of pain. She fasted constantly, slept little, her head resting on her chest. Her forehead was dented from making innumerable signs of the Cross that she made. People from afar, of all ages and conditions, thronged around her to seek her wisdom and her prayers. Miracles continue at her tomb at the women’s monastery of the Protecting Veil of the Mother of God
“I was born blind! And I glorify the Panagia because that way I commit fewer sins! At some point, the Panagia gave me my sight, but when I saw that it didn't help me, I asked her to take it back... And she listened to me!”
✝️ Elder Isidoros the Blind Monk of Philotheou Monastery, of Blessed Memory
Elder Isidoros, devout spiritual child of the Blessed Geronda Ephraim of Arizona, reposed on Sunday November 27, 2022 at the Athonite Monastery of Philotheou at the age of 87.
Twice a year, when the humble elder would come out of Mount Athos, many souls were blessed by his wisdom and many miracles.
✝️ Elder Isidoros the Blind Monk of Philotheou Monastery, of Blessed Memory
Elder Isidoros, devout spiritual child of the Blessed Geronda Ephraim of Arizona, reposed on Sunday November 27, 2022 at the Athonite Monastery of Philotheou at the age of 87.
Twice a year, when the humble elder would come out of Mount Athos, many souls were blessed by his wisdom and many miracles.
“Like tax-collectors sitting in the narrow ways, and laying hold upon the passers-by, so do the demons spy upon souls and lay hold of them; and when they pass out of the body, if they were not perfectly cleansed, they do not suffer them to mount up to the mansions of heaven and to meet their Lord, and they are driven down by the demons of the air. But if whilst they are yet in the flesh, they shall with much labour and effort obtain from the Lord the grace from on high, assuredly these, together with those who through virtuous living are at rest, shall go to the Lord…” ✝️ St Macarius the Great (Jan 19/ Feb 1)
Icon: Archangel Mikhail, taking the soul of a dead man.
Icon: Archangel Mikhail, taking the soul of a dead man.
“And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up!” (James 5:15)
Make a list of people you know who are sick and pray the following: "O Christ, You alone are prompt to defend us; quickly visit Your suffering servants (say their names). Through the prayers of the Mother of God, deliver them from sickness and bitter pain. Heal them so that they may sing to You and always praise you – for You alone love us."
Make a list of people you know who are sick and pray the following: "O Christ, You alone are prompt to defend us; quickly visit Your suffering servants (say their names). Through the prayers of the Mother of God, deliver them from sickness and bitter pain. Heal them so that they may sing to You and always praise you – for You alone love us."
On Feb 9 / Jan 27 the Church celebrates the translation of the honourable relics of Saint John Chrysostom from the village of Comana, where he died in exile, to Constantinople, where earlier he had presided over the Church.
When the coffin of St John was brought to the Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople, the people cried out, “Father, take up your throne.” Patriarch Proclus and the clergy standing by the relics witnessed St John opening his mouth and saying, “Peace be to all.” Many were healed of sickness at his tomb.
When the coffin of St John was brought to the Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople, the people cried out, “Father, take up your throne.” Patriarch Proclus and the clergy standing by the relics witnessed St John opening his mouth and saying, “Peace be to all.” Many were healed of sickness at his tomb.
St Nina (Nino), Equal-to-the-Apostles, Enlightener of Georgia (Jan 14/ Jan 27)
“O handmaid of the Word of God, who in preaching hast equaled the first-called Apostle Andrew, and hast emulated the other Apostles; O enlightener of Iberia and reed-pipe of the Holy Spirit, holy Nina, equal to the Apostles: Pray to Christ God to save our souls.”
“O handmaid of the Word of God, who in preaching hast equaled the first-called Apostle Andrew, and hast emulated the other Apostles; O enlightener of Iberia and reed-pipe of the Holy Spirit, holy Nina, equal to the Apostles: Pray to Christ God to save our souls.”