Theophany Feast

Background

Under early Muslim rule, this feast was celebrated with great pomp, and the Muslim historian al-Mas‘udi gives a lively description of the occasion under Ikhshid Muhummad ibn Tughj in the year 941. The bank of the Nile was illuminated by endless torches, and the Egyptians—both Copts and Muslims—emerged in their best apparel. Many plunged into the Nile in the belief that its sanctified water would heal them from all ailments.

This is reminiscent of an ancient Egyptian legend, when people reenacted the search of Isis in the waters of the Nile at the place where Seth had killed her husband Osiris and scattered his limbs. In those days, Egyptians also illuminated the Nile bank and plunged into its waters. Copts used to visit their deceased relatives in the cemeteries on the following day.

This tradition has been established among Copts and Muslims alike. The food on that day consists of a special vegetable known in Latin under the name Colcasia antiquorum, in Arabic as ‘qulqas’. It is the taro plant which grows in the soil like potatoes. The fruit of the season also is used and distributed to the poor at cemeteries. This includes oranges and mandarins.

The late Bishop Gregorios, the General Bishop of Theological Post Graduate Studies, Coptic Culture and Scientific Research.

During the first four centuries of the church, the Feasts of Nativity and Theophany were celebrated as one feast on January 6 (Tobe 11) and it was referred to as the Feast of Epiphany “revelation from above”. Later in the fourth century, the two feasts were separated, and the practice of celebrating Nativity on December 25 (Koiahk 29) was introduced by the Church of Antioch. In the fifth century, this practice was adopted by the Church of Alexandria, and later was also adopted by Jerusalem. The Armenians adopted this practice as well but only for a short time in the sixth century, then went back to celebrating both feasts on January 6.

“Liturgical and Ritual Issues and Proposals Concerning the Restoration of Communion” by Fr. Shenouda Maher.

Spiritual Application

“In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.”

Col 2:11-12

Theophany means manifestation of God, and Epiphany means manifestation from above. The Coptic church uses the word theophany to refer to the baptism of Christ and epiphany as a general term to refer to the feasts of the Incarnate Lord. The baptism of Christ is called Theophany because of the revelation of the Holy Trinity to us during His baptism. The Incarnate Lord was in the waters of the Jordan River, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in the form of a dove, and there was a voice from the heavens from the Father saying “This is My beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased.”

During this feast, the Church celebrates Christ’s manifestation of the symbol of the Old Testament practice of circumcision that was preparing us for our new covenant, revealed to us in the sacrament of Holy Baptism. Christ had no need for baptism for the remission of sins, just as He had no need for circumcision, but followed both rites to carry us from the old covenant of the flesh to the new covenant of grace. What great humility of our Lord, to empty Himself and be baptized as the Redeemer by the ones in need of redemption, to set Himself as an example for us to follow.

Spiritual exercise

Baptism is the practice of regeneration, of rebirth, of putting off the old man and putting on the new. Let us put away all filthiness of the flesh and all fleshly desires and walk with Him as a new creation. Take this time to appreciate our regeneration in Christ and the spirit of sonship that He has given to us all. After receiving our new nature through the incarnation of the Logos, let us now take this Feast of Theophany as a reminder to be continually renewed as a new creation in Christ.

Rites

Paramoun

Paramoun, a Greek term meaning watch, vigil, especially on the eve of a festival, is a period of strict fasting (first degree fast) as the final day of the fast before the feast. Abstaining and prostrations are practiced on this day. Therefore, if the day before the feast falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the Paramoun rite is practiced from the preceding Friday in order to observe one day of strict fasting, and the rite is continued up to the feast day without abstaining or prostrations on the Weekend days. A Vespers prayer and Divine Liturgy are prayed and the Paramoun service follows the rite of the Standard Season. If the Paramoun lasts for more than one day, the same readings for Paramoun are repeated.

Lakkan Prayer

The Lakkan Prayer is prayed on water before Matins raising of incense. Joyful Verses of Cymbals, This Censor, A Proud Name (Oran Enshosho), among other hymns are chanted. A series of prophecies and the Pauline epistle are read. Also, Lord Have Mercy is chanted 10 times in its melismatic tune. After the prayer is complete, the priest anoints the congregation while the deacons chant Psalm 150 in the Joyful Tune.

Divine Liturgy of the Feast

Nativity, Theophany, and Resurrection Feasts are celebrated with a Divine Liturgy on the evening before the feast day so as to end at midnight of the feast day. Abstaining from food in preparation for Holy Communion begins nine hours before communion, at approximately 3pm. Nativity and Theophany Feasts have a Paramoun day before the feast, whereas Resurrection does not have one since the day before the feast is Bright Saturday with its own rite. Nativity and Theophany also are celebrated in two days, but if one of those days falls on a Wednesday or Friday, there is an additional day added to the feast. The Theophany Feast is one of the Seven Major Feasts and is chanted with the Festive Tune. No prostrations or fasts are practiced on the feast day. The festive tune is used on the feast days, Tobe 11 and 12, and continues to be used through the Wedding of Cana of Galilee on Tobe 13. During the Paramoun service, all of the psalms are read, therefore the psalms are not prayed in the Theophany feast liturgy before the Offering of the Lamb.

Hymns

Verses of Cymbals

“This is My beloved Son in whom I am pleased. He has performed My will; obey Him, for He is the Giver of Life.”
Rejoice as lambs, O Jordan and your wilderness, for unto you has come the lamb who takes away the sin of the world.
A proud name is your name, O kinsman of Immanuel. You are great among all the saints, O John the Baptist.

Intercession Hymn

Through the intercessions of the forerunner and baptizer, John the Baptist, O Lord…

Praxis Response

“This is My beloved Son in whom I am pleased. He has performed My will; obey Him, for He is the Giver of Life.”
Hail to John the great forerunner. Hail to the priest, the kinsman of Immanuel.

A Proud Name

A proud name is your name, O kinsman of Immanuel. You are great among all the saints, O John the Baptist.
You are more exalted than the patriarchs, and more honored than the prophets, for no one has risen among those born of women, who is like you.
Come and hear the wise, the golden-tongued Theodosius, speaking of the honor of the baptizer, John the Baptist.
What will I call you? How will I honor you? What will I compare you to? O you who are worthy of all honor.
You are the sweetness of fruits, you are the movement of branches, you are the blossom on the trees, planted in the land of the lilies.
Intercede on our behalf, O forerunner and baptizer, John the Baptist, that He may forgive us our sins.
Pray to the Lord on our behalf, O beholder of God, the evangelist Mark the Apostle, that He may forgive us our sins.

Psalm Response

Alleluia, Alleluia. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was baptized in the Jordan. Alleluia, Alleluia.

Gospel Response

This is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, who brought a horn of salvation, in order to save His people.
Alleluia (4). Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was baptized in the Jordan.
This is He to whom is due glory: with His good Father, and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever.

Psalm 150 response

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was baptized in the Jordan.

Conclusion

...who was baptized in the Jordan. Save us and have mercy on us...