Theophany (Baptism of our Lord) Quiz

Blessed Great Feast of Theophany (Baptism of our Lord)
- January 6

Please enjoy this fun quiz related to this Great Feast in the Life of the Church and feel free to share among your family and friends!

1. Which Gospel does not record the Baptism of our Lord, Jesus Christ?

A. Matthew        B. Mark
C. Luke              D. John

2. Which animal symbolizes the "Descent of the Holy Spirit" during the Baptism of Jesus?

A. Eagle          B. Dove
C. Hawk          D. Turkey

3. In what river was Jesus baptized?

A. Jordan      B. Nile
C. Tigris        D. Lakhish

4. Fill in the blank: According to the Gospel narratives of the Baptism of Jesus, a voice is heard from heaven saying, "This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well ____."

A. Loved              B. Pleased
C. Concerned       D. Desired

5. What does "Theophany" mean?

A. God becoming man         B. Descent of the Holy Spirit
C. Baptism                          D. Appearance/Manifestation of God

6. If Theophany is celebrated on a Sunday, which Liturgy is called to be served?

A. Liturgy of Basil the Great                              B. Liturgy of John Chrysostom
C. Liturgy of James the Brother of our Lord      D. Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts

7. What is blessed by the clergy in the weeks following the Great Feast of Theophany?

A. Cars            B. Grapes
C. Homes         D. Flesh-meats and cheeses

8. Who baptized Jesus in the river?

A. Joseph           B. John
C. Joachim         D. Zachariah

9. The person who performed the baptism, how is he related to Jesus?

A. Cousin               B. Brother
C. Grandfather       D. Uncle

10. How old was Jesus when He was baptized?

A. 2         B. 12
C. 18       D. 30

11. What is blessed/sanctified during the celebration of the Baptism of Jesus?

A. Water          B. Candles
C. Crosses        D. Palms

12. Following the Baptism of Jesus, how many days does He spend in the wilderness?

A. 3        B. 9
C. 20      D. 40

13. Whose feastday called the "Synaxis of ____" is celebrated on January 7th, the day after the Great Feast of Theophany?

A. Prophet David           B. Joseph the Betrothed
C. John the Baptist        D. Virgin Mary

14. The Gospel of Matthew describes Jesus being ministered to following His baptism while in the wilderness, stating: "____ came and ministered to Him" (4:11). Who ministers to Jesus?

A. Holy Spirit         B. Angels
C. Disciples            D. Satan

15. What is another common descriptive term/title used for the person who baptized Jesus?

A. Betrothed           B. Disciple
C. Forerunner         D. Wonder-worker

The Answer Key is below, please highlight to view:

1. D   6. A    11. A
2. B   7. C    12. D
3. A   8. B    13. C
4. B   9. A    14. B
5. D  10. D   15. C

The Friend of the Bridegroom: St John the Baptist

In the Life of the Church, it is customary on the day following Great Feasts of the Lord and the Mother of God, to remember those saints who participated directly in the sacred event. So, on the day following the Theophany of the Lord, the Church honors the one who participated directly in the Baptism of Christ, placing his own hand upon the head of the Savior.


Baptism of our Lord

St John, the holy Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, whom the Lord called the greatest of the prophets, concludes the history of the Old Testament and opens the era of the New Testament. The holy Prophet John bore witness to the Only-Begotten Son of God, incarnate in the flesh. St John was accounted worthy to baptize Him in the waters of the Jordan, and he was a witness of the Theophany of the Most-Holy Trinity on the day of the Savior's Baptism.

"He must increase, but I must decrease": the words of St John the Baptist as quoted in Gospels (John 3:30) is a beautifully stated and essential reminder for all Christians. He is explaining to his followers the fulfillment of his ministry in proclaiming the good news of the coming of our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ into the world.

Forerunner & Baptist, John

St John calls himself the "friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears Him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. "Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled" (John 3:29). What a remarkable example of the love of God and understanding of one's purpose in life!

Our Lord says of John, "For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist, but he who is least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he" (Luke 7:28).

I am currently reading for the second time an amazing book reflecting on the life and purpose of St John the Baptist entitled The Friend of the Bridegroom: On the Orthodox Veneration of the Forerunner by Sergius Bulgakov. I strongly encourage you to read it as well.

Through the prayers of the Forerunner, O Lord our God, have mercy upon us!

- A Day in the Life of the Youth Director

Rejoice, the Lord is with Thee: Annunciation

On March 25th in the Life of the Church, we celebrate the Great Feast of the Annunciation of our Lord. This Feast is described in the Gospel according to Luke 1:26-38. Luke tells the story of the meeting between the Archangel Gabriel (being sent by God) to visit with Mary in the city of Nazareth.

To read more about this Great Feast, please go HERE.

Great Feast of the Annunciation

Mary hears the words of the angel Gabriel: "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!" She is troubled at his words and presence, but the angel Gabriel continues by saying, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus." Mary is even more confused at this encounter and replies, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?" The angel Gabriel offers her this explanation, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God."

The laws of nature are suspended, for a virgin shall conceive and bear a son. This great Mystery reaffirms the love of God for His creation. Truly God becomes truly Man! Our Lord will take upon himself our humanity in order to renew our blessed opportunity towards His Divinity.

Here's a little personal note from last year about this Great Feast: While researching for this blogpost I came across an awesome footnote. My whole life I've honestly hated my middle name, which is "Evan." I never used it, rarely told anyone what it is, etc. But I found out today, that my middle name of Evan is of Greek origin (which totally changes my outlook)! It comes from the Greek word "evangelion" or its English translation of "good news" as in the Christian gospels or this Great Feast of the Annunciation (Archangel Gabriel telling of the "good news" to the Virgin Mary).

Blessed Great Feast of the Annunciation to all & blessed Name's Day to those bearing the name of Evan!

- A Day in the Life of the Youth Director

Why Do We "Church" a Baby?

Like many have witnessed on Sunday, either before, during, or after the Divine Liturgy, the priest walks towards the Narthex and meets a mother and new-born child. This "churching" is beloved by all (really, who doesn't love seeing a new baby and the smiling faces of their parents?)! But its not just a "grand" appearance for the family's sake; there is a deep meaning for one's life in this service. It is an offering unto God who bestows all blessings and gifts upon us (i.e. the birth of a child) and the readmittance of a mother back into the Life of the Church. 

The Great Feast of the Presentation of our Lord into the Temple is celebrated on February 2nd in the Life of the Church as described by the Gospel according to St Luke 2:22-40. Forty days after His birth the God-Infant was taken to the Jerusalem Temple, the center of the nation's religious life. According to the Law of Moses (Lev. 12:2-8), a woman who gave birth to a male child was forbidden to enter the Temple of God for forty days. At the end of this time the mother came to the Temple with the child, to offer a young lamb or pigeon to the Lord as a purification sacrifice. The Most Holy Virgin, the Mother of God, had no need of purification, since she had given birth to the Source of purity and sanctity without defilement. However, she humbly fulfilled the requirements of the Law.

Presentation of our Lord into the Temple

Image Source

At this time the righteous Elder Simeon (February 3) was living in Jerusalem. It had been revealed to him that he would not die until he should behold the promised Messiah. By inspiration from above, St Simeon went to the Temple at the very moment when the Most Holy Theotokos and St Joseph had brought the Infant Jesus to fulfill the Law.

The God-Receiver Simeon took the divine Child in his arms, and giving thanks to God, he spoke the words repeated by the Church each evening at Vespers: "Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people, a light to enlighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel" (Luke 2:29-32). St Simeon said to the Most Holy Virgin: "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be spoken against. Yea, a sword shall pierce through your own soul also, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed" (Luke 2:34-35).

At the Temple was the 84-year-old widow Anna the Prophetess, daughter of Phanuel (February 3), "who did not leave the temple, but served God with fasting and prayers night and day. She arrived just when St Simeon met the divine Child. She also gave thanks to the Lord and spoke of Him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem" (Luke 2:37-38). In the icon of the Feast she holds a scroll which reads: "This Child has established Heaven and earth."

Before Christ was born, righteous men and women lived by faith in the promised Messiah, and awaited His coming. The Righteous Simeon and the Prophetess Anna, the last righteous people of the Old Testament, were deemed worthy to meet the Savior in the Temple.

Cited Source

Wishing you and your family a blessed Great Feast of the Presentation of our Lord into the Temple!

- A Day in the Life of the Youth Director