[Titus 2:11–14; 3:4–7; Matt. 3:13–17] The Baptism of the Lord is called Theophany [God Revealed] because in it the one true God, worshipped in Trinity, revealed Himself so pal pably: God the Father — through the voice from heaven, God the Son, incarnate — through His baptism, and God the Holy Spirit — through the descent upon the Baptized. Here the mystery of the relationship be tween the persons of the Most Holy Trinity is also revealed. God the Ho ly Spirit proceeds from the Father and rests in the Son, but does not proceed from the Son. Here also is revealed the fact that the incarnate Divine economy of our salvation is accomplished by God the Son incar nate, coexisting with the Holy Spirit and God the Father. And it is reveal ed that the salvation of each person can be accomplished no way other than in the Lord Jesus Christ, through the grace of the Holy Spirit, according to the good will of the Fa ther. All the Christian Mysteries shine here with their divine light and enlighten the minds and hearts of those who with faith celebrate this great festival. Come, let us men tally hasten on high and plunge our selves into the contemplation of these mysteries of our salvation, singing, “When Thou, O Lord, wast baptized in the Jordan, the worship of the Trinity was made manifest” — a salvation which in trinity es tablishes us, and in trinity saves us.
Saint Theophan the Recluse