On Monday, January 18, 2021, the Patriarchate of Jerusalem celebrated the Forefeast of Epiphany, the commemoration of the baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ by Saint John in the River Jordan.
Matins began early in the morning at the Monastic Church of Saints Constantine and Helen. At the end of Matins, the Royal Hours of Epiphany were read, at the presence of Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos. Then, Vespers and the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil followed, at the chanting of the Byzantine choir leader of the Church, Archimandrite Eusevios.
Before dismissal, the Patriarch held the Service of the Small Blessing of the Water for the feast of Epiphany. With the blessed water, the Patriarch sanctified the Archbishops, Priests and Monks who attended the service, at the absence of pilgrims, due to covid-19 restrictions. Then, with His cloak on, Patriarch Theophilos and all the Fathers headed to the Patriarchate Hall, under the chanting of the hymn “When Thou wast baptized in the Jordan…”. The Patriarch sanctified the Hall before dismissing the Divine Liturgy, and waited for the Episcopal entourage from Saint James Cathedral with Archbishop Aristovoulos of Madaba. The Archbishop also sanctified the Hall and the choir chanted the Polychronion for Patriarch Theophilos.
A short while later, the Patriarch of Jerusalem and His entourage went to the Holy Monastery of Saint John the Baptist by the river Jordan, though not via Jericho, due to covid-19 restrictions. After the welcoming and the reading of the 9th Royal Hour at the Monastery, the procession towards the river began, with only 50 people present, some clergy and a few faithful, and the Consul General of Greece in Jerusalem Mr Evangelos Vlioras. At the river, they held the Vespers of Theophany and the service of the sanctification of the water on the platform above the river.
Afterwards, Patriarch Theophilos went down to the river bank and He threw the holy cross in the water, under the chanting of the “when Thou wast baptized in the Jordan”.
Finally, there was a fasting reception at the Holy Monastery of Saint John the Baptist, hosted by the Hegoumen Archimandrite Bartholomew.
Source: Patriarchate of Jerusalem
