"When Thou, O Lord, wast baptized in the Jordan, worship of the Trinity wast made manifest; for the voice of the Father bore witness to Thee, calling Thee His beloved Son. And the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the truth of His word. O Christ our God, Who hath appeared and enlightened the world, glory to Thee." (Troparion of Theophany)Listen to an explanation of the Feast of Theophany on Ancient Faith Radio. Visit the Antiochian Archdiocese website for information about the icon of the Theophany. Information about the Feast and the icon is also available on the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese website.
On the Feast of Holy Theophany, water is sanctified for use throughout the year. During the Theophany season, priests visit the faithful to bless their homes. Here is a brief selection from the Service of the Great Sanctification of Water celebrated on the Feast of Theophany that expresses the healing effect of Holy Water:
"And grant it the grace of redemption and the blessing of the Jordan. Make it a fount of incorruptibility, a gift for sanctification, a redemption for sins, a elixir for maladies, a destroyer of demons, unapproachable by the adverse powers and full of angelic powers; so that to all who drink there from and receive thereof it may be for the sanctification of their souls and bodies, for the healing of sufferings, for the sanctification of homes and for every befitting benefit."
(The full text from which this was taken is available from the Diocese of LA and the West, Antiochian Archdiocese.)
