We begin January with the Feast of the Theophany (“manifestation as God”) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on Jan. 6. We celebrate that, when our Lord was baptized in the Jordan, the Holy Spirit descended upon him and the Father spoke to affirm to all that Jesus Christ was his Only-Begotten Son. Though in America it is overshadowed by Christmas, the Theophany is at least as important to us as Christians. 

We will celebrate Vespers of  Theophany, with the Great Blessing of Water, on Wednesday, Jan. 5, at 6 PM. This Great Blessing of Water echoes language from the service of Holy Baptism. It recalls all the ways in which God has worked salvation and healing of his people through water. Bring a bottle to this service (or another time, if you can't make it!), so you can take some of this water home for a blessing throughout the year to come.

On Thursday, Jan. 6, at 9:30, the feast culminates in the Divine Liturgy of Theophany.

With the Theophany and the Blessing of Water, we enter the season of house blessings. Our homes need this spiritual “spring cleaning” each year to free them from the remembrance of sin and fill them with the presence of the Holy Spirit. All that is required is that you prepare a list of the living and departed that you wish to commemorate, and set up a candle and bowl of holy water before an icon. (Fr. Joshua brings holy water, too, in case anyone needs more.) Please sign up for a time on the sheets provided at the candle desk, or contact Fr. Joshua if none of the times are convenient.