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Description and comparative analysis of the celebrations of different religions and confessions
Celebrations
The Baptism of Christ XV CE Orthodox icon
Iconostasis piece from the Assumption Cathedral of the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery, Russia. By an unknown master, circa 1497. This fine example features all the key elements of the Orthodox Theophany iconography. The composition centers on the figure of Jesus, revealed as the divine person. He is portrayed almost or fully naked as a sign of His spiritual purity. Saint John the Baptist bows in recognition of the Savior. This also signifies the Old Testament giving way to the New Testament. At the top, the Holy Spirit is descending upon Jesus as a dove, the Holy Spirit is depicted in a Mandorla. The angels on the right side are the divine witnesses of this holy moment. They are waiting to attend to Christ and dress him after the baptism is over.
Angel of the Desert XVII CE Orthodox icon
This elaborate masterpiece of the Orthodox religious cannon shows Saint John the Baptist adorned with a pair of angelic wings. No other saintly figure is ever portrayed with this attribute, reserved only for the angels and this heavenly man. Known as “glorious prophet and forerunner of Christ”, Saint John holds the highest standing among the Christian Saints. He is described as the “Angel of the Desert” in the inscriptions of Eastern Orthodox icons for two reasons. First, he proclaimed the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, becoming a herald of God like the angels. Second, Saint John lived a life of chastity, abstinence, and prayer with his mind fixed firmly on heaven. This is the life of the angels and example for the pious to follow. For this reason Saint John is the patron of monastics, hermits, and ascetics.
Epiphany XVII CE mural
Seventeen century mural from the Church of St Elijah, Boboshevo, Bulgaria. In canonical Orthodox iconography, Christ’s hands are not shown in prayer, but in a sign of blessing. Rather than the waters of Jordan cleansing Christ, it is Christ Who cleans the waters. This is why in the bottom of most Theophany Icons, little creatures appear to be fleeing from the feet of Christ. This is a reflection of the words of the Psalmist regarding the Messiah (Christ): “the sea saw and fled, the Jordan turned back”
The Baptism of Christ by Verrocchio
Here is one of the most celebrated interpretations of the biblical scene of the Baptism in Western art. Made in the studio of the Italian Renaissance painter Andrea del Verrocchio at circa 1472. The painting was completed by Verrocchio in collaboration with his apprentice, Leonardo da Vinci who painted and finished the details of some parts of the painting, particularly one of the angels. The painting was an altarpiece commissioned by the monks of the San Salvi Church near Florence.
The site of Theophany
Qasr el Yahud in the West Bank, and Al-Maghtas in Jordan on the east bank, is considered to be the original site of the baptism of Jesus and the ministry of John the Baptist.
Theophany - Exploring the Feasts of the Orthodox Christian Church
In this video, we learn about event of Christ’s baptism. We also explore the ways in which this great feast continues to be celebrated in the Orthodox Church, as we continue to bless the waters and reconnect this created world to God.
Understanding Icons: Theophany
An example of a theologically rich icon of the baptism of Christ with detailed interpretation of the canonical imagery and symbolism.
Epiphany troparion in different languages and melodies
In this video troparion (short hymn presenting the essence of the feast/ saint day) is chanted by various choirs in: English (Byzantine chant), Church Slavonic (Byzantine chant), Greek, Arabic, Church Slavonic (Russian chant), Romanian, Spanish, Ukrainian, Albanian, Church Slavonic (Serbian chant), Georgian, French, Japanese, Swahili (Kiswahili, pictures also from Ethiopia), Arabic (quick melody), Indonesian, Church Slavonic (modern Bulgarian chant, Polish subtitles), English (modern arrangement).