The Theophany/Epiphany/Baptism Icon

[@Patristix]

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[@jlynn5680]

As my priest has told me, "we never stop being catechumens because we are always learning how to grow in our faith, even after our reception into the Church." I am fairly new to Orthodox, and your channel has been a wonderful source of information and lessons. Thank you.

[@MoJo-m9v]

Stephen, thank you so much for your content. It has been a blessing and an inspiration - and has been instrumental in the conversion of my family of 9 to Holy Orthodoxy. I often send people I know who ask about our church to your channel as a first stop on a long journey. Lord willing, we will be received by Holy Baptism on Theophany of this year (just 4 more days!). In Christ, Joseph

[@Patristix]

God bless you and your family! Welcome to the Orthodox Church!

[@Gabriel_Sakran]

Welcome home, friend. ☦️❤️

[@afterwit3620]

I don't know how old this analogous relationship is, but it's interesting to note that there's a traditional association between the Jordan River (specifically, crossing it), and death. Seems like that pattern holds here as well, as death fleeing Christ seems just about perfect.

[@HomoEucharistica]

I don't about that "analogous relationship", but the connection between the river Jordan and God goes back to the days of Joshua (when the ark of the covenant crossed the river). Jordan river plays also role in the story of Elijah and Elisha (in a certain sense, Elijah was a "forerunner" of Elisha, who became greater than Elijah).

[@afterwit3620]

@@HomoEucharistica Totally true. I was just thinking of the traditions that have solidified around the river in post-biblical times, like when the protagonist of The Pilgrim's Progress has to cross the river to reach the Celestial City, or much later when many black American spirituals focus on crossing the Jordan to reach the Promised Land (though I'm aware that can refer to release from the injustice of slavery, it refers to ultimate rewards as well).

[@HomoEucharistica]

@@afterwit3620 Well, if you think about it, the connection between Jordan River and death is already rooted in the biblical era. As you know, the Promised Land and later Israel represent the kingdom of Heaven in the Scriptures (also "New Jerusalem", true Israel etc.), and Jordan is literally the border river of that land. Because the Israelites rebelled against God and Moses, the entire rebellious generation had to die (except Joshua and Caleb) before the nation was allowed to cross the river. The Israelites were also circumcised after crossing the river which is also a sort of symbol of death (and it also happened they celebrated Passover either right before or soon after crossing the river Jordan)... ALSO, water in general has strong connection with death and Hades, besides other meanings, in biblical thinking (which is also why it's big deal in the book of Revelation that "there is no longer any sea"). As said, I don't know about the history of that tradition, but I'm positive it goes back (in one form or another) to the days of the Apostles... Would be interesting to hear what Jewish rabbis around that time had to say on that topic

[@afterwit3620]

@@HomoEucharistica Good points all. Particularly the need for the rebellious generation to die before crossing into the promised land. I normally only think of Moses being denied entry.

[@HomoEucharistica]

@@afterwit3620 In a sense, it's due to the death of Moses why Israel can finally go and take the land as her own. Yes Moses did a mistake and therefore he couldn't cross the river, but there's also "the death of the high priest" vibe there. There's a law that a murderer (if it was an accident) can escape to a city of refuge and live there in safe, but he can leave that city not until the high priest of that time dies. When the high priest is dead, criminal can go in peace and live without fearing revenge of victim's relatives... Something similar happens in the death of Moses, in a certain sense. Moses is an antitype of the suffering servant of the Lord, and Joshua is an antitype of victorious conqueror, thus foreshadowing two missions (and two comings) of the Messiah

[@jollygoodgordon5580]

Love ur channel bro

[@roberttoader9011]

I got the flu and watching your video made me feel better.

[@Patristix]

Glad we can be a little bit medicinal! Get well soon

[@roberttoader9011]

@@Patristix God bless!

[@lindaphillips4646]

"Afterwit.." below here made an interesting comment about the idea of the Jordan being connected to the idea of death. (St. Mary of Egypt crossed the Jordan and surely almost died many times as she sought eternal life.) The comment made me think of the line from the prtsnt hymn, "I'm only crossing over Jordan.., I'm only going over home."

[@SYkokeeLAR]

I always learn something new with your videos. Never realised that this icon was like a Venn diagram.

[@Patristix]

That's actually quite a good way of putting it!

[@lindaphillips4646]

Fr. Paul Truebenbach produced a recent video about 6 annual miracles in the Orthodox Church. One of them is that the Jordan River to this day rolls backwards, at least roils backwards, when the Patriarch of Jerusalem [ if i remember correctly] throws the Cross into the Jordan on Theophany. There are several videos about that. I was told today that that doesn't always happen, but i will let others research that. BLESSED THEOPHANY!

[@sdnlawrence5640]

I was taught that tree also reminds us of John's time in the wilderness and the axe reminds us of his beheading. Many more lessons can be found in this and all other festal icons.

[@allisonroorda7937]

Orthodoxy never ceases to amaze me! Thank you for all you're doing. We happily support your ko-fi! :)

[@Patristix]

Thank you SO much for your help! And likewise, we've been Orthodox our whole lives and constantly find new beautiful things

[@lamkw6329]

thank you for the video ! :D. I am from Malaysia but i have never heard any tea like that despite the ingredients are quite Malaysian to me😆

[@Patristix]

Yes it's something we found in Australia! We've also had teh tarik which is delicious

[@jacobfort1266]

Whenever you upload I know I’m going to learn something new!!

[@Gesu_Re_dei_re]

Praise the Lord 🕊❤️‍🔥👑

[@karenspivey3203]

Wonderful video! Thank you for sharing.

[@NavelOrangeGazer]

The waters don't purify Christ, Christ purifies the waters. His incarnation purifies the earth.

[@dominicpaul1]

Wonderfully explained, thank you 😊

[@Christiansymbolism]

I was waiting this video so long. Thank you 🙏🏼♥️☦️ will you make video about icon of the judgment day? It is also full with symbolism, but I couldn’t find in internet right explanation.

[@Terri7665]

Great video. Good to learn more about Theophany, thank you 🙏

[@lindaphillips4646]

I am typing this on the Eve of Theophony. I didn't know last year about the verses in II KINGS 2, when The Holy Prophet Elisa took the mantle that The Holy Prophet Elijah had thrown down to him as Elijah rose up in the firey chariot.. Elisa took the mantle and slapped the Jordan River and it separated into two parts with dry land in the middle. One of the hymns from the Divine Liturgy today in preparation for this feast recalled this and says that it was a foretaste, [ the best word i know to use], for what would come when the waters of the Jordan separated when Jesus walked into them..

[@roberthilsdon3900]

Thank you for this very illuminating (in more than one way) video. Nice to see the sword back, I hope that you can carry on in 2024.

[@Patristix]

Thank you! We aim to try. And thanks for noticing the sword. We like having it there

[@sokratiskonstantaras320]

Happy Theophany day. 🎉✝️

[@stalkek]

Excellent thanks.

[@lindaphillips4646]

The Jordan river.. NOTHING is random with God. St. John the Forerunner baptized in many waters, i suppose, but the LORD seems to have deliberately chosen to be baptized in the Jordan. One reason might be its connection to the idea of death.. But there may be more than just geographical proximity to where HE had been..

[@Saint_nobody]

The local parish I frequent is so named after this. 😃

[@某人-b3o]

I love this feast

[@b_ks]

These are the tales we will quietly tell to children in the days when we are suppressed.

[@roberthilsdon3900]

How do I pay without a PayPal account?

[@Patristix]

I think there's a way to use it as a "guest" once off. But if it's not possible we would still very much appreciate your prayers!

[@TheRadChadDad]

☦️☦️☦️

[@makpimp4eva14]

Braka pravoslavni!!!!! ❤❤

[@shaneemanuelle6243]

Is that Excalibur against the wall?

[@Patristix]

It is Anduril, a sword from Lord of the Rings

[@delyndamccormick4915]

What Bible reflects these teachings? Recovering Pentecostal here.

[@Patristix]

I'd really recommend a visit to an Orthodox Church! Chat with the people after the service, and ask some questions. It could really help!

[@lindaphillips4646]

Hi, delynda, i hope you were able to go to an Orthodox Church . BTW, tomorrow is the Feast Day of Theophony.. A lovely, lovely service. There is also the blessing of the waters after the Divine Liturgy.

[@drivingbritt9617]

First!

[@Bobthe0strich]

Algorithm boost