The Feast of Epiphany at the Patriarchate

On Friday January 6/19, 2018, the Patriarchate celebrated the Feast of Epiphany, as the commemoration of the baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ by St. John the Baptist in the river Jordan. At that time the humankind experienced the Trinitarian Theophany; the Son being baptized, the Father witnessing with a heavenly voice “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matt. 17.5) and the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove confirming the truthfulness of the word. This was done for the remission of our sins and our rebirth through the baptism of the sinless God-man.

This Feast of the Lord was initially celebrated by the Service of the Blessing of Waters by His Beatitude our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos at the Catholicon.

The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom was then celebrated at the Holy Sepulchre, led by His Beatitude with co-celebrants the Most Reverend Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias, the Most Reverend Archbishops Aristarchos of Constantina and Demetrios of Lydda and the Most Reverend Metropolitan Joachim of Helenoupolis, Elder Kamarasis Archimandrite Nectarios as the first in rank of the Priests, many Hagiotaphite Hieromonks and many other Priests from the Orthodox countries Greece, Russia and Romania. The right choir was led by the choir leader of the All-holy Church of the Resurrection Fr. Aristovoulos and the left choir by Mr. George Alvanos. The Services were attended by a large congregation of pilgrims and local faithful who accepted the gift of rebirth through the Lord’s baptism in joy, contrition and thanksgiving.

After the Divine Liturgy, His Beatitude blessed the congregation and they all headed for the Patriarchate where His Beatitude wished everybody the enlightenment of Theophany.

Source: Patriarchate of Jerusalem