Theophany or Epiphany?  Manifesting God’s Love in the World

an article by Father Nicholas Kazarian in 

the January-February 2025 issue of Living City

Every year, on January 6, Orthodox Christians celebrate the feast of the Theophany.  This sacred day commemorates Christ’s Baptism and the beginning of his public ministry, placing at the heart of the liturgical experience the sacramental role of water in transmitting God’s Grace.

From the frozen lakes of Manitoba to the balmy shores of Florida, and from the Pacific to the Atlantic, Orthodox Christians come together to bless waters – whether in a small font or a mighty river – by plunging a cross into them. The most courageous participants, often braving icy waters, compete to retrieve the cross, a powerful act symbolizing faith and renewal.

These celebrations transcend mere historical reenactments of ecclesial events from 2,000 years ago.  They serve as visible signs of the Church’s mission in the world, embodying its sacramental reality  By entering the waters of baptism, Christians participate in Christ’s death and resurrection, as Saint Paul eloquently reminds us:

“By our baptism, then, we are buried with him and share his death, in order that,
just as Christ was raised from death by the glorious power of the Father,
so also we might live a new life”
[Romans 6.4]

In the Orthodox tradition, Theophany  - known as Epiphany in the West – is one of the most significant feasts of the liturgical year.  It commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River by Saint John the Baptist, marking the manifestation of the Holy Trinity:   the voice of the Father declaring, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” [Matthew 3.17], the Son standing in the waters, and the Holy Spirit descending as a dove.   The term “epiphany” means “manifestation, “ while “theophany” translates to “manifestation of God.”  This divine revelation unveils the unity and mission of the Holy Trinity, inviting humanity into a deeper relationship with God.

While Western Christianity often associates Epiphany with the visitation of the Magi – symbolizing Christ's manifestation to the Gentiles – both feasts share a common focus:  God’s presence in his creation and the call to discipleship.  Theophany emphasizes the transformative power of encountering God and bearing witness to his love

The account of Christ’s baptism is recorded in all four Gospels, but each offers a unique perspective.  The Gospel of John stands out for its missionary  emphasis.  Saint John the Baptist declares,

 The Synoptic Gospels [Matthew, Mark, and Luke] highlight the revelation of the Holy Trinity, describing how the heavens opened, the Spirit descended as a dove, and the Father affirmed Jesus as his beloved Son.  Initially hesitant, Saint John consented to baptize Christ after he insisted that it was necessary to fulfill  all righteousness. 

 The feast of the Theophany is rich with symbolism. It marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry and the foundation of the Church’s sacramental life.    Early Christians quickly connected Christ’s baptism to the sacrament of illumination, seeing in it a participation in his death and resurrection.   Saint Paul explains this mystery:

“For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ,
and in baptism, you were also raised with him,
through your faith in the active power of God,
who raised him from death”
[Colossians 2.12]

Through baptism, Christians are not merely professing faith in the Holy Trinity; they are united with Christ in his death and resurrection.   This connection is why baptisms traditionally occur during pivotal liturgical moments such as Theophany, Holy week, and Holy Saturday.

Theophany also carries a cosmological dimension, celebrating the sanctification of all creation.   The Great Blessing of Waters, central to the feast, symbolizes the purification and renewal of the world.   The poetic prayers of the service beautifully encapsulate this cosmic vision:

“You intentionally brought the universe from nothing into being.
You hold creation together by your power. 
You govern the cosmos by your providence. 
When you constituted the created world out of the Four Elements,
you crowned the cycle of the year with four seasons.  
All the spiritual hosts tremble before you.  
The sun extols you.  The moon glorifies you.  
The stars converse with you.   Light obeys you. 
The depths shudder at you.   Springs and fountains serve you.  
You stretched out the heavens like a curtain.  
You made firm the earth on the waters.  
You surrounded the sea with a wall of sand.  
You poured out the air to all to breathe.”

In addition to the festive celebrations of Theophany, Orthodox Christians cherish the enduring tradition of inviting the priest to bless their homes during this season, a practice that remains deeply significant and widely observed today.  This act symbolizes the sanctification of all creation, from the elemental forces of nature to the intimate spaces of daily life, affirming that God’s grace permeates the entire world.   The prayers and hymns of the feast beautifully express this truth reminding us that all of creation is an icon of God’s love, revealing his presence and calling humanity to faithful stewardship.

Theophany is not merely a historical celebration or annual feast: it is a call to live as icons of Christ’s sacrificial love.   The feast invites us to embrace our vocation as members of his Body, revealing God’s presence in the world through acts of love, compassion, and faith.   As His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, known as the “Green Patriarch,” wrote in his 2019 Encyclical for the Day of Environmental Protection:

“The liturgical life of the Church, the ascetic ethos, pastoral service and experience of the cross and resurrection by the faithful, the unquenchable desire for eternity: all of these comprise a communion of persons for which the natural reality cannot be reduced to an object or useful matter to meet the needs of an individual or humanity; by contrast, this reality is considered as an act, indeed the handiwork of a personal God, who calls us to respect and protect it.

The mystery of Christ’s Incarnation accompanies us throughout our spiritual journey, reminding us that every aspect of our vocation and mission as members of  Christ’s Body points to our calling to reveal and manifest God’s presence in the world.   Theophany, or Epiphany, is not merely a feast celebrated once a year; it is an ongoing invitation to live as icons of Christ’s sacrificial love, reflecting this light in every facet of life.

As Saint Paul reminds us: