The Bible says that John recognised Messiah in Jesus Christ, who came to the Jordan to be baptised, and the Apostles wrote down his words: “You should baptise me, yet you come to me.”
The Epiphany is one of the greatest Christian holidays, since at the moment of baptism, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit appeared together for the first time, announcing Holy Sacrament of the Holy Trinity which became a symbol of faith.
The Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, alighted on the head of the Son of God and the Heavens opened and the voice of God was heard saying: “This is my son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Jesus Christ lived His earthly life for another three years after baptism, fulfilling His mission of redemption of mankind from ancestral sins.
On this day, the Epiphany water is blessed, which is considered medicinal and protects from unclean forces. Epiphany water is kept at home until the following Epiphany.
According to popular custom, the faithful exchange the greeting, “God appears – Verily He appears.”
It is a custom on Epiphany for young men to swim after and retrieve a cross thrown into a body of water by a priest.
(Srna/Frontal)
