Theophany (Bamberg) Icon - F283

Celebrated on January 6th, the Feast of Theophany (from the Greek Theophaneia, "manifestation of God") commemorates the baptism of Christ in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. Within the Orthodox Church, Theophany holds the distinction of being one of the Twelve Great Feasts, which are surpassed in holiness only by Pascha itself. In addition, the feast is closely bound to the Nativity of Christ and the two are often regarded as a single continuous celebration, joined together by the Twelve Days of Christmas.

In the wilderness, John the Baptist proclaimed a message of repentance, readying the hearts of the people for the coming of the Lord. Among the multitudes who came to him at the Jordan was Christ Himself, who submitted to baptism — not to be cleansed of sin, for He had none, but to mark the beginning of His public ministry. At that moment, a voice resounded from heaven, "You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased," while the Holy Spirit descended visibly in the form of a dove (Luke 3:22, Orthodox Study Bible). In this singular event, God disclosed Himself as Trinity — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — a revelation recorded in three of the Gospels (Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-22; OSB).

Christ’s baptism also inaugurated His earthly ministry and carries a deeper theological significance: the sanctification of the waters themselves. Sinless though He was, Christ entered the Jordan not for His own purification, but to consecrate the waters on behalf of all creation, foreshadowing the redemptive power of Christian Baptism for generations to come.

This unique icon of Theophany is from the 10th century Bamberg Psalter. It is a glorious depiction of the revealing of Christ's Divinity and identity within the Trinitarian Godhead. The anonymous iconographer captures the glory and humility of Christ at the beginning of his public ministry. Featuring Western iconographic forms and colors, it is still heavily influenced by Orthodox canons of iconography. As part of an ancient illuminated manuscript, it was painted around the time of the Great Schism (1054) between the Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches. It represents the continuity that Western iconography--and religious art in general--at that time still preserved from its Orthodox roots.

 

A high-quality reproduction handcrafted in Legacy Icons' Michigan woodshop, this icon is available in multiple sizes and is a perfect addition to a parish wall or home prayer corner.