Theophany & Epiphany

January 6 is known in the Eastern church as Theophany and in the Western church it is called Epiphany. Theophany originates from the Greek words Theos meaning God, and Phainein meaning showing. It literally means Revelation of God. It is a day on which three important revelations of God occur. In the West, the Epiphany is the day when the Magi were led by the star to find the Christ child. In the East, it is first the day of the Nativity and the theophany to the shepherds by the the angels; at Noon, it is the celebration of the coming of the Magi; in the evening, it is the commemoration of the day when the 30-year-old Christ was baptized and began His ministry. It is always the Trinitarian revelation of God.

The Baptism of Christ 
This fresco is inside the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage site “Visoki Dečani Monastery” located in the Metochia of Serbia.  This fresco was painted in the late 14th century.  This monastery was one of the highlights of our sacred art pilgrimage in Fall 2023.

Central Figures
The central figures are Jesus, St. John the Baptist, and the Holy Spirit descending from the symbols of heaven – the semi-circle and hand of God at the top of the Icon. The hand and the rays visually depict the voice of God the Father who expresses pleasure in His Son: “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” (Mt 3:17) 

Artistic Structure – Opening of the Heavens
The formation of God the Father, John the Baptist and the angels form a triangle around Christ to create the symbolism of Holy Trinity, central to the message of this icon. The triangle is replicated in the overall structure of the icon with the shape of the mountains. Iconographic mountains are indicative of a highly significant event or place of encounter. Here we see the mountains parting, opening the Heavens to Him, making way for the descent of the Holy Spirit, focusing our attention directly on the baptism. St. John Chrysostom emphasizes the Gospels that state “the Heavens were opened,” the Spirit descends upon us so that we can ascend with Christ and the Spirit to the Father in Heaven. For the first time since the fall of mankind, the Heavens were opened to us. 

At the bottom of the icon, we see two creatures in the water who appear to be in awe of Christ. “Water spirits” are often depicted in Theophany icons to represent the river Jordan (man pouring water from an amphora) and the sea (woman on a sea creature chariot) who depict the scripture, The sea saw and fled, the Jordan turned back. Ps114:3.

Notice the brilliant blue background which represents the blue of divinity, signifying a divine event is taking place.

Old Covenant to New Covenant
The Baptism can be viewed as a pictorial message of movement from the Old Covenant to the New. John the prophet stands on the west side of the river (Earth) and angels wait to clothe Christ on the east (Heaven). In baptism, Christ initiates movement from the west to the east; from the Old Covenant to the New; from the old, promised land (the Earthly light red mountain) to the new, promised land (the yellow Heavenly One). John the Baptist bows in obeisance to Christ, symbolic of this movement and acquiescence to the New Covenant.

Humility
Jesus, who is sinless, chooses to be baptized by St. John the Baptist demonstrating ultimate humility and His willingness to identify with us, sinners.

St. John the Baptist
John the Baptist is known by many names in iconography. When we call him the Athlete of God he is shown with a big chest, full of capacity and strength as an athlete perseveres and competes to the end, winning the race for God. When he is shown as an ascetic who denies self, he is depicted with thin, sinewy arms, legs and a deeply weathered face to represent sacrifice and humility. This fresco depicts St. John the Baptist with many of these physical attributes as the warrior of God. In this capacity, St. John the Baptist is shown in his characteristic scratchy, blue camel haircloth garment, to remind us of sacrifice and penance in life.

In the left lower corner, an iconographic tree foreshadows John’s own martyrdom at the hand of Herod. “Even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Mt. 3:10) It is an athlete’s and warrior’s reminder not to become spiritually lazy.

Entrust Yourself to God
This fresco is rich in symbolism and meaning. Every element of the painting serves to convey the significance of the moment depicted – the revelation of Jesus’ divine identity and the beginning of His ministry to win hearts for God. It is a powerful work of instructional liturgical art that invites contemplation and reflection on the mysteries of faith, the true meaning of baptism and entrusting one’s life to God.

14th Century Fresco of The Adoration of the Magi, St. Marko Monastery, N. Macedonia

Adoration of the Magi
January 6 also marks the arrival of the three kings, or Magi, who visited the infant Jesus in Bethlehem, bearing gifts of gold (for a King), frankincense (perfume representing divinity) and myrrh (an anointing embalming oil).

Artistic Structure’s Message
In this fresco, the artistic structure in the background (green mountain and building) signify the divine event that establishes the church. Above the verdant green mountain (above & outside the photo) is the divine star directly over Jesus’ head.  Buildings typically represent The Church, and in this case, the angel or “messenger” of God standing before it as a guard is another confirmation of The Church’s establishment.

Another angel in the upper left corner is shepherding/guiding the Magi to Bethlehem as a message of faith in the divine light. The Magi’s visit to Christ can be seen as a uniting symbol that He came to be a savior to all people.

Epiphany Home Blessing
Today is the day to bless your home with the Epiphany prayers and door chalking.  The formula is simple: