Feast of Baptism
Our Lord Jesus Christ was baptized in the River Jordan by Saint John the Baptist on Tir 11. And the festival which is kept on this day is called in the tongue of the Greeks “Ipiphany,” which is, being interpreted, “the appearance of the Godhead,” because on this day appeared the mystery of the Holy Trinity–the Father, saying from heaven, “This is my Son Whom I love, in Whom I am well pleased. Hear Him.”
The Son was standing in the Jordan, and the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, was standing on Him, even as John the Baptist was a witness of this, saying, “Our Lord Christ, having been baptized, went up out of the water; and straightway the heavens were rent, and the Holy Spirit came down upon Him like a dove. A voice came from heaven, saying, This is My Son Whom I love, with Whom I am well pleased. Hear Him.”
On this day our Lord revealed Himself, (now, for a period of thirty years He had not revealed Himself to anyone), and on this day He revealed Himself to the children of Israel. And John the Evangelist was a witness, and John the Baptist was a witness to Him before the people, and he openly said to them, “This is the Lamb of God Who take away the sin of the world.” And His pronouncement I do not understand, and only that He appeared unto Israel, and because of this I came out to baptize Him with water.
At this festival the glory of Christ appeared, as that of the Son of God, and His own glory as the Lamb of God, Who take away the sins of the world. Because of this the festival this day is a great festival among all Christian peoples, and they cleanse themselves with holy water in imitation of the Baptism of our Lord Christ; and they received during this festival remission of their sins, provided that they continue in the purity which they have received. Therefore it is meet for us to keep, and serve, and glorify the abundant grace of our God and Redeemer Jesus Christ, Who became man for our sakes, and delivered us from our sins.
May the Lord’s mercy be with us; Amen!
Source: The Ethiopian Synaxarium of Tir 11.