After all these years, I’m still unclear what the difference is between Theophany and Epiphany. I think that they both refer to the revealing of God at Christ’s baptism. How many that were there when Christ was baptised saw the Dove, heard the Voice, I wonder. Did any of them understand what they were witnessing? I’m sure I wouldn’t have.
There are timely observations from Mimi and Orthodixie that Theophany and Nativity were once part of one big happy festal season. So much is packed into such a small portion of the year. It’s a lot to take in

The passage from today’s service that struck me was from the Praises sung at the end of Orthros:

The true Light hath appeared, granting illumination to all. And Christ transcending all purity is baptized with us, charging the water with sanctity for the purification of souls. Verily, the thing apparent is earthly, but its significance transcendeth the heavens; for by washing salvation is attained, by water the Spirit, and by immersion ascent to God. Wherefore, great are thy works, O Lord, glory to thee.

We had two baptisms today (Many years, Macrina and Cyril!), and so there were many visitors and as always you find yourself wondering what they’re wondering. There’s no telling, of course, unless you want to do exit interviews, and so it’s probably more of a study in what things you still wonder at.

I was a sponsor for one of the baptisms and so I ended up noticing the way that they make you reflect on your own baptism. Did I pay much attention at mine? Did I notice all the things that are in the prayers and consider the eternal meaning of the congregation’s response to chrismation (”Sealed!) ? I’m betting I just hoped I wouldn’t flub my lines or get water up my nose. That’s all right — there are others watching out for the big picture.

As a godmama, I held the candle as we processed around the table. I considered that fact while trying not to burn myself. At marriage, the couple carries the candle as they process. But now, I carry the candle for someone else. His godfather and I attended to him in small particulars during the baptism. None of us goes into this alone. As one of the godparents, I’ve committed to a certain responsibility for his spiritual well-being. The congregation has looked on and pronounced him sealed in the One Holy Church. And the priest has taken the most active role, doing the hands-on work.

It’s all so much to reflect on. The sacraments of the Orthodox Church can be one of the stumbling blocks, I know, to those raised in other traditions. But how would we get along without them? I could’ve been just prayed at and nothing else 20-odd years ago, if I had joined a different church. But that would have been my loss — sitting here now, I’m sure of it. And ultimately, it would have been my fellow parishioners’ loss as well, because I wouldn’t have felt the reality of joining with Christ’s death and resurrection quite as deeply. I can’t pretend for a moment that I do anything but register the merest impulses of that reality, but what’s there is as real as the drops of water sprinkled from Father Elias’ cross, as real as the holy oil left on the candle I held.

Blessed Theophany to us all. Many years to the newly baptized and chrismated!