Forefeast of the Theophany of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

The first day of the Forefeast of Theophany falls on January 2. Like the hymns for the Nativity, many of the Church’s hymns of this period are slightly modified versions of the hymns of Holy Week.

One of the hymns at Matins today says that the coming Feast of Theophany will be “even more radiant” than the Feast of the Nativity.

Troparion — Tone 4

Today the Lord enters the Jordan and cries out to John: / “Do not be afraid to baptize me. / For I have come to save Adam, the first-formed man.”

Kontakion — Tone 4

Prepare, O Zebulon, / and adorn yourself, O Naphtali; / River Jordan, cease flowing / and receive with joy the Master coming to be baptized. / Adam, rejoice with our First Mother / and do not hide yourself as you did of old in Paradise; / for having seen you naked, / He has appeared to clothe you with the first garment. / Christ has appeared to renew all creation.

This article originally appeared on the website of the Orthodox Church of America and is used here with permission.

1/2/2001

See also
A Living Tradition continues: The celebration of Theophany in Mexico City A Living Tradition continues: The celebration of Theophany in Mexico City A Living Tradition continues: The celebration of Theophany in Mexico City A Living Tradition continues: The celebration of Theophany in Mexico City
In what has become a decades old “Living Tradition,” clergy and faithful alike filled the cathedral for the celebration of the festal Divine Liturgy and the Great Blessing of Water. The Baptism of the Lord The Baptism of the Lord The Baptism of the Lord The Baptism of the Lord
St. John of Kronstadt
What is there to wash away in Thee, Who art more pure than the sun; or to enlighten in Thee, the Sun of Righteousness? -- But is it for us sinful and short-sighted ones, deprived of far-sightedness, to gainsay the Lord Himself, Who created all tthings and Who wisely does much that is beyond word and reason? Harrisburg, PA: Pan-Orthodox Theophany blessing of the Susquehanna River. Harrisburg, PA: Pan-Orthodox Theophany blessing of the Susquehanna River. Harrisburg, PA: Pan-Orthodox Theophany blessing of the Susquehanna River. Harrisburg, PA: Pan-Orthodox Theophany blessing of the Susquehanna River.
On the Sunday after Theophany, January 9, 2011 (new style), faithful from six Harrisburg area parishes gathered at City Park for the third year to celebrate the Great Blessing of Waters.

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