The Theophany is when we celebrate the Baptism, by Christ, of the whole of Creation, when he was received by John the Forerunner and Baptiser in the River Jordan. It is the first time that the Trinity is made manifest- the Voice of the Father, the Son made Man and the Holy Spirit as a Dove. This reminds us of the time when Joshua, in leading the Israelites towards the promised land came to the River Jordan. The river backed up, literally flowing backwards, from the Dead Sea towards a town called Adam. In the Baptism of Christ, the River of Life flows backwards from Death towards Adam. Christ is the New Adam, conquering Death by death.

We will be celebrating this on Tues evening (5th January) with a Vespers service and the Great Blessing of the Waters, at Holy Sepulchre Church at 19:30.
Blessings, Fr T