Tag Archives: Theophany

St Ephrem the Syrian’s Fourteenth Hymn on the Epiphany of our Lord

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My thought bore me to Jordan,
and I saw a marvel when there was revealed
the glorious Bridegroom who to the Bride
shall bring freedom and holiness.

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

I saw John filled with wonder
and the multitudes standing about him
and the glorious Bridegroom bowed down
to the Son of the barren that he might baptise Him.

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

At the Word and the Voice my thought marvelled:
for lo! John was the Voice;
our Lord was manifested as the Word,
that what was hidden should become revealed.

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

The Bride was espoused but knew not
who was the Bridegroom on whom she gazed:
the guests were assembled, the desert was filled
and our Lord was hidden among them.                                                              

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

Then the Bridegroom revealed Himself
and to John at the voice He drew near:
and the Forerunner was moved and said of Him
This is the Bridegroom Whom I proclaimed.

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

He came to baptism Who baptises all
and He showed Himself at Jordan.
John saw Him and drew back
deprecating, and thus he spoke:

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

How, my Lord, dost Thou will to be baptised
Thou Who in Thy baptism atonest all?
Baptism looks unto Thee
do Thou shed on it holiness and perfection?

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

Our Lord said I will it so
draw near, baptise Me that My Will may be done.
Resist My Will thou cannot:
I shall be baptised of thee, for thus I will it.

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

I entreat, my Lord, that I be not compelled
for this is hard that Thou hast said to me
‘I need thee to baptise Me;’
for it is Thou that with Thy hyssop purifiest all.

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

I have asked it, and it pleases Me that thus it should be
and thou, John, why dost thou gainsay?
Allow righteousness to be fulfilled
and come, baptise Me; why art thou standing there?

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

How can one openly grasp
in his hands the fire that burns?
O Thou that art fire have mercy on me
and bid me not come near Thee, for it is hard for me!

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

I have revealed to thee My Will;  what dost thou question?
Draw near, baptise Me, and thou shalt not be burned.
The bridechamber is ready; keep Me not back
from the wedding-feast that has been made ready.

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

The Watchers fear and dare not
gaze on Thee lest they be blinded
and I, how, O my Lord, shall I baptise Thee?
I am too weak to draw near; blame me not!

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

Thou fearest; therefore gainsay not
against My Will in what I desire:
and Baptism hath respect unto Me.
Accomplish the work to which thou hast been called!

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

Lo! I proclaimed Thee at Jordan
in the ears of the people that believed not
and if they shall see Thee baptised of me
they will doubt that Thou art the Lord.

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

Lo! I am to be baptised in their sight
and the Father Who sent Me bears witness of Me
that I am His Son and in Me He is well pleased
to reconcile Adam who was under His wrath.

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

It becomest, me, O my Lord, to know my nature
that I am moulded out of the ground
and Thee the moulder Who formest all things:
I, then, why should I baptise Thee in water?

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

It becomes thee to know why I have come
and for what cause I have desired that thou shouldst baptise Me.
It is the middle of the way wherein I have walked
withhold not Baptism.

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

Small is the river whereto Thou hast come
that Thou shouldst lodge therein and it should cleanse Thee.
The heavens suffice not for Thy mightiness;
how much less shall Baptism contain Thee!

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

The womb is smaller than Jordan;
yet was I willing to lodge in the Virgin:
and as I was born from woman
so too am I to be baptised in Jordan.

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

Lo! The hosts are standing!
the ranks of Watchers, lo! They worship!
And if I draw near, my Lord, to baptise Thee
I tremble for myself with quaking.

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

The hosts and multitudes call thee happy
all of them, for that thou baptisest Me.
For this I have chosen thee from the womb:
fear not, for I have willed it.

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

I have prepared the way as I was sent:
I have betrothed the Bride as I was commanded.
May Thine Epiphany be spread over the world
now that Thou hast come, and let me not baptise Thee!

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

This is My preparation, for so have I willed;
I will go down and be baptised in Jordan,
and make bright the armour for them that are baptised
that they may be white in Me and I not be conquered.

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

Son of the Father, why should I baptise Thee?
for lo! Thou art in Thy Father and Thy Father in Thee.
Holiness unto the priests Thou givest –
why dost Thou ask for water that is common?

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

The children of Adam look unto Me
that I should work for them the new birth.
A way in the waters I will search out for them
and if I be not baptised this cannot be.

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

High-priests of Thee are consecrated
priests by Thy hyssop are purified –
the anointed and the kings Thou makest.
Baptism, how shall it profit Thee?

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

The Bride thou didst betroth to Me awaits Me
that I should go down, be baptised, and sanctify her.
Friend of the Bridegroom withhold Me not
from the washing that awaits Me.

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

I am not able, for I am weak
Thou blazest in my hands to grasp.
Lo! Thy legions are as flame
bid one of the Watchers baptise Thee!

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

Not from the Watchers was My Body assumed,
that I should summon a Watcher to baptise Me.
The body of Adam, lo! I have put on
and thou, son of Adam, art to baptise Me.

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

The waters saw Thee, and greatly feared;
the waters saw Thee, and lo! They tremble!
The river foams in its terror
and I that am weak, how shall I baptise Thee?

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

The waters in My Baptism are sanctified,
and fire and the Spirit from Me shall they receive
and if I be not baptised they are not made perfect
to be fruitful of children that shall not die.

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

Fire, if to Thy fire it draw near
shall be burnt up of it as stubble.
The mountains of Sinai endured Thee not
and I that am weak, wherein shall I baptise Thee?

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

I am the flaming fire
yet for man’s sake I became a babe
in the virgin womb of the maiden.
And now I am to be baptised in Jordan.

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

It is very meet that Thou shouldst baptise me
for Thou hast holiness to purify all.
In Thee it is that the defiled are made holy;
but Thou that art holy, why art Thou to be baptised?

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

It is very right that thou shouldst baptise Me
as I bid, and should not gainsay.
Lo! I baptised thee within the womb –
baptise me in Jordan!

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

I am a bondman and I am weak.
Thou that freest all have mercy on me!
Thy latchets to unloose I am not able
Thine exalted head who will make me worthy to touch?

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

Bondmen in My Baptism are set free
handwritings in My washing are blotted out
manumissions in the water are sealed;
and if I be not baptised all these come to nought.

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

A mantle of fire the air wears
and waits for Thee, above Jordan;
and if Thou consent to it and will to be baptised
Thou shall baptise Thyself and fulfil all.

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

This is meet, that thou should baptise Me
that none may err and say concerning Me –
‘Had He not been alien from the Father’s house –
why feared the Levite to baptise Him?’

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

The prayer, then, when Thou art baptised-
how shall I complete over Jordan?
When the Father and the Spirit are seen over Thee –
Whom shall I call on, as priest?

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

The prayer in silence is to be completed:
come, thy hand alone lay on Me,
and the Father shall utter in the priest’s stead –
that which is meet concerning His Son.

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

They that are bidden, lo! All of them stand –
the Bridegroom’s guests, lo! They bear witness
that day by day I said among them,
‘I am the Voice and not the Word.’

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

Voice of him that criest in the wilderness
fulfil the work for which thou didst come –
that the desert whereunto thou didst go out may resound
with the mighty peace thou didst preach therein.

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

The shout of the Watchers has come to my ears –
lo! I hear from the Father’s house –
the hosts that sound forth the cry,
‘In Thine Epiphany, O Bridegroom, the worlds have life.’

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

The time hastes on, and the marriage guests
look to Me to see what is doing.
Come, baptise Me, that they may give praise
to the Voice of the Father when it is heard!

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

I hearken, my Lord, according to Thy Word:
come to Baptism as Thy love constrainest Thee!
The dust worships that whereunto he has attained
that on Him Who fashioned him he should lay his hand.

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

The heavenly ranks were silent as they stood
and the Bridegroom went down into Jordan;
the Holy One was baptised and straightway went up
and His Light shone forth on the world.

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

The doors of the highest were opened above
and the voice of the Father was heard –
This is my Beloved in Whom I am well pleased.
All ye peoples, come and worship Him.

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

They that saw were amazed as they stood,
at the Spirit Who came down and bore witness to Him.
Praise to Thine Epiphany that gladdens all –
Thou in Whose revelation the worlds are lightened!

Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

St Ephrem the Syrian’s Eighth Hymn on the Epiphany of the Lord

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God in His mercy stooped and came down to mingle His compassion with the water and to blend the nature of His majesty with the wretched bodies of men. He made occasion by the water to come down and to dwell in us: like to the occasion of mercy when He came down and dwelt in the womb: O the mercies of God, Who seeks for Himself all occasions to dwell in us!

Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!

To the cave in Horeb He stooped and came down and on Moses He caused His majesty to dwell. He imparted His glorious splendour to mortals. There was therein a figure of Baptism: He Who came down and dwelt in it tempers within the water the might of His majesty, that He may dwell in the feeble. On Moses dwelt the Breath and on you the Perfecting of Christ.

Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!

That might then none could endure: not Moses chief of deliverers; nor Elijah chief of zealots; and the Seraphim too veil their faces; for it is the might that subdues all. His mercy mingled gentleness in the water and by the oil, that mankind in its weakness might be able to stand before Him when covered by the water and the oil.

Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!

The captive priests again, in the well hid and concealed the fire of the sanctuary, a mystery of that glorified fire which the High-priest mingles in Baptism. The priests took up of the mire and on the altar they sprinkled it for its fire, the fire of that well with the mire had been mingled mystery of our bodies, which in the water with the fire of the Holy Spirit have been mingled.

Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!

The famous Three in Babylon in the furnace of fire were baptised, and came forth. They went in and bathed in the flood of flame; they were buffeted by the blazing billows. There was sprinkled on them there the dew that fell from heaven; it loosed from off them there the bonds of the earthly king. Lo! The famous Three went in and found a fourth in the furnace.

Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!

That visible fire that triumphed outwardly pointed to the fire of the Holy Ghost which is mingled, lo! And hidden in the water. In the flame, Baptism is figured in that blaze of the furnace. Come, enter, be baptised, my brethren, for lo! It looses the bonds; for in it there dwells and is hidden the Mediator of God, Who in the furnace was the fourth.

Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!

Two words again our Lord spoke which in one voice agree in unison: He said, I have come to send fire, and again, I have a baptism to be baptised with. By the fire of Baptism is quenched the fire that which the Evil One had kindled: and the water of Baptism has overcome those waters of contention by which he had made trial of Joseph who conquered and was crowned.

Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!

Lo! The pure fire of our Redeemer which he kindled in mankind of His mercy! Through His fire He quenched that fire which had been kindled in the defiled and sinful. This is the fire wherein the thorns are burnt up and the tares. But happy are your bodies that have been baptised in the fire which has consumed your thickets and by it your seeds have sprung up to heaven!

Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!

Jeremiah in the womb He sanctified and taught. But if the lowly bosom of wedlock was sanctified in conceiving and bringing him forth, how much more shall Baptism sanctify its conception and its bringing forth of them that are pure and spiritual! For there, within the womb is the conception of all men, but here, out of the water is the birth whereof the spiritual are worthy.

Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!

For Jeremiah though sanctified in the womb, they took up nails and cast him into the pit. Holy was the prophet in his befoulment, for clean was his heart though he was in the mire. Be afraid, my brethren, for lo! Today is washed away your secret befoulment, and the abomination of your sins. Turn not again to uncleanness for there is but one cleansing of your bodies!

Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!

The presumptuous who is baptised and again sins is as the serpent that casts its slough and again puts it on, that is renewed and made young, and turns again putting on anew its skin of old for the serpent does not cast off its nature. Cast off the tempter the corrupter of souls even the old man let it not make old the newness you have put on!

Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!

Elisha cast the wood into the water, and made the heavy float and the light sink: their natures were exchanged in the water. There a new thing came to pass not according to nature. How much easier then, O Lord, is this for Thy grace; that in the water should sink transgression which is heavy, but that the soul which is light should be drawn forth and raised up on high!

Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!

Joshua, son of Nun, on Jericho laid a curse on its walls and a doom on its fountains. They whom Joshua cursed to their destruction again in the mystery of Jesus have been blessed. There was cast into them salt and they were healed and sweetened: a mystery of this salt the sweet salt that came from Mary, that was mingled in the water whereby was healed the noisomeness of our plagues.

Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!

Lo! quiet waters are before you holy and tranquil and pleasant for they are not the waters of contention that cast Joseph into the dungeon, nor yet are they the waters those waters of strife beside which the people strove and gainsaid in the wilderness. There are waters whereby there is reconciliation made with Heaven.

Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!

Hagar saw the spring of water and from it she gave drink to her forward son, him who became as a wild ass in the wilderness. Instead of that fountain of water is Baptism. In it are baptised the sons of Hagar and have become gentle and peaceful. Who has seen rams like these that are yoked, lo! And labour along with tame bullocks and the seed of their tillage is reaped an hundredfold!

Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!

In the beginning the Spirit that brooded moved on the waters; they conceived and gave birth to serpents and fishes and birds. The Holy Spirit has brooded in Baptism, and in mystery has given birth to eagles – Virgins and Prelates; and in mystery has given birth to fishes – celibates and intercessors; and in mystery of serpents, lo! The subtle have become simple as doves!

Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!

Lo! The sword of our Lord in the waters! that which divides sons and fathers: for it is the living sword that makes division, lo! Of the living from the dying. Lo! They are baptised and they become Virgins and saints who have gone down, been baptised, and put on the One Only begotten. Lo! Many have come boldly to Him!

Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!

For whoever have been baptised and put on Him the Only begotten the Lord of the many has filled thereby the place of many, for to him Christ has become a great treasure: for He became in the wilderness a table of good meats and He became at the marriage feast, a fountain of choice wines. He has become such to all in all things by helps and healings and promises.

Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!

Elisha was the equal of the Watchers in his doings, glorious and holy. The camp of the Watchers was round about him thus let Baptism be unto you a camp of guardians for by means of it there dwells in the heart the hope of them that are below and the Lord of them that are above. Sanctify for Him your bodies for where He abides, corruption comes not near.

Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!

They are no more, the waters of that sea which by its billows preserved the People and by its billows laid low the peoples. Of contrary effect are the waters in Baptism. In them, lo! The people have life in them, lo! The People perishes: for all that are not baptised in the waters that give life to all they are dead invisibly.

Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!

They are no more, the waters of that sea which were tempestuous, and boiled against Jonah and plunged into the depths the Son of Amittai. Though he fled he was bound in the prison-house, God cast him in and bound him in dungeon within dungeon for he bound him in the sea, and He bound him in the fish. For him Grace stood surety and she opened the prison and brought forth the preacher.

Happy are ye, whose bodies have been made to shine!

The Prophets have called the Most High a fire: a devouring fire, and who can dwell with it? The People were not able to dwell in it; its might crushed the peoples and they were confounded. In it, with the unction you have been anointed; you have put Him on in the water; in the bread you have eaten Him; in the wine you have drunk Him; in the voice you have heard Him; and in the eye of the mind you have seen Him!

St Ephrem the Syrian’s Sixth Hymn on the Epiphany of the Lord

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The Spirit came down from on high and hallowed the waters by His brooding. In the baptism of John, He passed by the rest and abode on One: but now He has descended and abode  on all that are born of the water.

Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences

Out of all that John baptised, on One it was that the Spirit dwelt: but now He hath flown and come down that He may dwell on the many, and as each after each comes up, He loves him and abides on him.

Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.

A marvel it is that surpasses all! To the water He went down and was baptised. The seas declared it blessed, that river wherein Thou wast baptised: even the waters that were in heaven envied because they were not worthy to be Thy bath.

Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.

A marvel it is, O my Lord, now also that while the fountains are full of water, it is the water of baptism that alone is able to atone. Mighty is the water in the seas, yet is it too weak for atonement.

Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.

Thy might, O my Lord, if it abides within the humble, it exalts him like as royalty and if it abide within the desert gives it peace. Water by Thy might has triumphed over sin, for Life hath encompassed it.

Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.

The sheep exulted when they saw the hand draw near to baptise them. Receive, O ye sheep, your sealing; enter and be mingled in the flock! For more than over all the flock, over you rejoice the Watchers today.

Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.

The Angels and the Watchers rejoice over that which is born of the Spirit and of water: they rejoice that by fire and by the Spirit the corporeal have become spiritual. The Seraphim who sing “Holy” rejoice that they who are made holy have been increased.

Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.

For lo! The Angels rejoice over one sinner if he repent: how much more do they now rejoice that in all churches and congregations lo! Baptism is bringing forth the heavenly from the earthly!

Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.

The baptised when they come up are sanctified; the sealed when they go down are pardoned. They who come up have put on glory; they who go down have cast off sin. Adam put off his glory in a moment; ye have been clothed with glory in a moment.

Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.

A house that is of dust when it hath fallen by means of water can be renewed: the body of Adam that was of dust which had fallen by water hath been renewed. Lo! The priests as builders renew afresh your bodies.

Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.

A great marvel is this of the wool, that it can take every dye as the mind takes every discourse. By the name of its dye it is called as ye who were baptised when Hearers, have gained the name of Recipients.

Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.

The common waters he sanctified, even Elisha through the Name that is secret. In them washed the leper openly and was cleansed by the Power that is secret: the leprosy was done away in the water, as transgressions in Baptism.

Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.

Today, lo! Your offences are blotted out and your names are written down. The priest blots out in the water and Christ writes down in Heaven. By the blotting out and the writing down, lo! Doubled is your rejoicing.

Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.

Lo! Mercy hath dawned today and from bound to bound it stretches: the sun hath sunk and mercy hath dawned. Justice hath drawn in her wrath; Grace hath spread forth her love. Lo! She pardoneth and quickeneth freely.

Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.

The sheep that beforetime were in the fold, lo! They hasten forth to greet the new lambs that have been added to it. They are white and are clad in white within, and white without are your bodies as your vestments.

Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.

From every mouth, Blessed are ye. On every side Blessed are ye. Sin from you is driven out and the Holy Spirit on you is dwelling. The Evil One hath become sad of countenance; the Good God makes glad your countenance.

Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.

The gift that ye have received freely cease not from watching over: this pearl if it shall be lost cannot again be sought out; for it is like to virginity, which if it be lost is not to be found.

Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.

May you from all defilement be kept by the power of your white robes! And he whose freedom hath defiled itself, may it be able to wash itself clean by his weeping! For me who am a servant of the community, may the supplication of the community win pardon!

Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.

To the author who hath toiled in words, let there be reconciliation in rest! To the teacher who hath toiled with voice, let thee be forgiveness through grace! To the priest who hath toiled in baptising, let there come the crown of righteousness!

Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.

From every mouth with one consent, of those beneath and those above, Watchers, Cherubim, and Seraphim, the baptised, the sealed, and the hearers; let each of us cry aloud and say: Glory to the Lord of our feasts!

Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that ye should be absolved from your offences.

St Ephrem the Syrian’s Fourth Hymn on the Epiphany of the Lord

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Descend my sealed brethren, put on our Lord, and be rejoined to His lineage, for He is son of a great lineage, as He has said in His Word.

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

From on high is His Nature, and from beneath is His  Vesture. Each that puts off his vesture, commingled is that vesture, with His Vesture forever.

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

You too in the water, receive from him the vesture that wastes not, nor is lost for, it is the vesture that vests them that are vested in it forever.

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

But the blessed Priest, is mediator between two: the covenant shall be made before Him, He is mediator of his Lord, and surety on our part.

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

The Godhead in the water, lo, has mingled His leaven for the creatures of dust, that leaven raises up and the Godhead joins them.

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

For it is the leaven of the Lord that can glide into the bondman and raise him to freedom; it has joined the bondman to the lineage of Him the Lord of all.

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

For the bondman who has put on Him, Who makes all free in the waters though bondman he be on earth, is son of the free on high, for freedom He has put on.

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

The freeman who has put on, that Angel in the waters, is as the fellow of servants, that he may be made like to the Lord, Who became bondman unto bondmen.

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

He Who enriches all came down, and put on poverty, that He might divide to the poor, the stores that were hidden out of the treasure-house of the water.

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

The lowly one again that has put on the Giver of all greatness, in the water even though he be base in the sight of fools, yet is great in the sight of the Watchers, for that he is clad in greatness.

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

For like as He Who is great, Who became lowly in His love by the unbelievers was persecuted, and by the Watchers* was worshipped, was made lowly and makes the lowly great.

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

Thus, let him be lowly who is great, that in him the lowly may be great: Let us be like to Him Who is greater than all, Who became less than all: He was made lowly, and makes all men great.

The meek man who has put on Him Who is great, in the water though humble be his countenance, very great is his discernment, for He Who is exalted above all dwells in him.

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

For who could be found to despise the bush of thorn the despised and humble, wherein the Majesty in fire made its dwelling within?

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

Who again could be found to despise Moses the meek and slow of speech when that excelling glory dwelt upon his meekness?

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

They that despised him despised his Lord; the wicked that despised him the earth swallowed up in anger; the Levites who scorned Him the fire devoured in fury.

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

Of Him Christ commanded, You shall not call him who is baptised and has put Him on Raca (worthless/empty); for whoso despises the despised, despises with him the Mighty.

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

In Eden and in the world are parables of our Lord; and what tongue can gather the similitudes of His mysteries? For, He is figured all of Him in all things.

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

In the Scriptures He is written of; on Nature He is impressed; His crown is figured in kings, in prophets His truth, His atonement in priests.

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

In the rod of Moses was He, and in the hyssop of Aaron and in the crown of David: to the prophets pertains His similitude, to the Apostles His Gospel.

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

Revelations beheld Thee, proverbs looked for Thee, mysteries expected Thee, similitudes saluted Thee, parables showed types of Thee.

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

The Covenant of Moses looked forward to the Gospel: all things of old time flew on and alighted thereon in the new Covenant.

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

Lo! The prophets have poured out on Him their glorious mysteries; the priests and kings have poured out upon Him their wonderful types: they all have poured them out on all of Him.

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

Christ overcame and surpassed, by His teachings the mysteries by His interpretations the parables; as the sea into its midst receives all streams.

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

For Christ is the sea, and He can receive the fountains and brooks, the rivers and streams, that flow from the midst of the Scriptures.

Blessed be He that blots out in water misdeeds that are without measure!

* Syriac: ‘ira = Watcher/Angel. The book of Daniel refers t ‘irin and qaddishin, “Watchers and Holy Ones” among the angels.

St Ephrem the Syrian’s First Hymn on the Epiphany of the Lord

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The heavens He has renewed, for that fools worshipped all the luminaries: He has renewed the earth, for that in Adami t was wasted. That which He fashioned has become new by His spittle: and the All-Sufficing has restored bodies with souls.

To Thee be praise from Thy flock on the day of Thine Epiphany!

Gather yourselves again O sheep and without labour receive cleansing! For one needs not as Elisha to bathe seven times in the river, nor again to be wearied as the priests are wearied with sprinklings.

To Thee be praise from Thy flock on the day of Thine Epiphany!

Seven times Elisha purified himself in a mystery of the seven spirits; and the hyssop and blood are a mighty symbol. There is no room for division  He is not divided from the Lord of all Who is Son of the Lord of all.

To Thee be praise from Thy flock in the day of Thine Epiphany!

Moses sweetened in Marah the waters that were bitter because the People complained and murmured: Thus he gave a sign of baptism wherein the Lord of life makes sweet them that were bitter.

To Thee be praise from Thy flock in the day of Thine Epiphany!

The cloud overshadowed and kept off the burning heat from the camp it showed a symbol of the Holy Spirit, which overshadows you in baptism tempering the flaming fire that it harm not our bodies.

To Thee be praise from Thy flock on the day of Thine Epiphany!

Through the sea the People then passed, and showed a symbol of the baptism wherein ye were washed. The People passed through that and believed not: the Gentiles were baptised in this and believed and received the Holy Spirit.

To Thee be praise from Thy flock on the day of Thine Epiphany!

The Word sent the Voice to proclaim before His Coming, to prepare for Him the way by which He came and to betroth the Bride till He should come that she might be ready when He should come and take her from the water.

To Thee be praise from Thy flock on the day of Thine Epiphany!

The voice of prophecy stirred the son of the barren woman and he went forth wandering in the desert and crying, “Lo! The Son of the Kingdom comes! prepare the way that He may enter and abide in your dwellings!”

To Thee be praise from Thy flock on the day of Thine Epiphany!

John cried, Who comes after me, He is before me: I am the Voice but not the Word; I am the torch but not the Light the Star that rises before the Sun of Righteousness.

To Thee be praise from Thy flock on the day of Thine Epiphany!

In the wilderness this John had cried and had said, “Repent ye sinners of your evils and offer the fruits of repentance; for lo! He comes that winnows the wheat from the tares.”

To Thee be praise from Thy flock on the day of Thine Epiphany!

The Light-giver has prevailed and marked a mystery, by the degrees he ascended: Lo! There are twelve days since he ascended, and today this is the thirteenth: a perfect mystery of Him, the Son, and His twelve!

To Thee be praise from Thy flock on the day of Thine Epiphany!

Darkness was overcome to make it manifest that Satan was overcome and the Light prevailed that he should proclaim that the Firstborn triumphs: darkness was overcome with the Dark Spirit, and our Light prevailed with the Light-giver.

To Thee be praise from Thy flock on the day of Thine Epiphany!

In the Height and the Depth the Son had two heralds. The star of light proclaimed Him from above John likewise preached Him from beneath: two heralds, the earthly and the heavenly.

To Thee be praise from Thy flock on the day of Thine Epiphany!

The star of light, contrary to nature, shone forth of a sudden less than the sun yet greater than the sun. Less was it than he in manifest light and greater than he in secret might because of its mystery.

To Thee be praise from Thy flock on the day of Thine Epiphany!

The star of light shed its rays among them that were in darkness and guided them as though they were blind so that they came and met the great Light: they gave offerings and received life and adored and departed.

To Thee be praise from Thy flock on the day of Thine Epiphany!

The herald from above showed His Nature to be from the Most High; likewise he that was from beneath showed His Body to be from humankind, mighty marvel! that His Godhead and His Manhood by them were proclaimed!

To Thee be praise from Thy flock on the day of Thine Epiphany!

Thus whoever reckons Him as of earth, the star of light will convince him that He is of Heaven: and whoever reckons Him as of spirit, this John will convince him that He is also bodily.

To Thee be praise from Thy flock on the day of Thine Epiphany!

John drew near with his parents and worshipped the Sun and brightness rested on His Face. He was not moved as when in the womb. Mighty marvel! That here he worships and there he leaped!

To Thee be praise from Thy flock on the day of Thine Epiphany!

The whole creation became for Him as one mouth and cried out concerning Him. The Magi cry out in their gifts; the barren cry out with their children the star of light, lo! It cries out in the air, Behold the Son of the King!

To Thee be praise from Thy flock on the day of Thine Epiphany!

The heavens are opened, the waters break forth, the dove is in glory! The voice of the Father is stronger than thunder as it utters the word, “This is My Beloved”; the Watchers brought the tidings, the children acclaimed Him in their Hosannas.

To Thee be praise from Thy flock on the day of Thine Epiphany!

Theophany: the Baptism of the Lord

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“O ye faithful, let us hymn the magnitude of God’s benefactions toward us; for having become man for the sake of our transgressions, He Who alone is pure and incorrupt, Who sanctifieth me and the waters, and crusheth the heads of the serpents in the water, is purified in the Jordan with our purification. Wherefore, let us draw forth water with gladness, O brethren; for the grace of the Spirit is invisibly imparted to those who draw it forth with faith, by Christ God, the Saviour of our souls.”

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Dear brothers and sisters,

Greetings for the feast of the Theophany: the Baptism of the Lord.

S prazdnikom!

At the beginning of the feast, we celebrated the vesperal Liturgy on the eve of the Lord’s Theophany, with the thirteen readings for the feast rich with images of water.

We heard of the creation of the waters of the world by the Lord on the third day; of the waters of the Red Sea as the passage of the children of Israel to safety and freedom in the exodus from Egypt; of the sweetening of the waters of Marah, rendered drinkable when Moses cast a tree – prefiguring of the Life-Giving Cross – into the bitter, undrinkable spring; of the parting of the Jordan as the priests bearing the Ark of the Covenant stepped into its watery fringes; of the waters poured upon the sacrifice of Elijah, ‘licked up’ by the flames which descended form heaven – a symbol of the fire of the Holy Spirit and the waters of baptism; of Elisha parting the Jordan by striking it with the mantle of his master, Elijah; of the waters of the Nile being the salvation of the infant Moses when the sons of the Israelites were slain.

In the prayers of the Great Blessing of Waters, we returned to the Old Testament:

“For Thou art our God, Who through water and the Spirit hast renewed our nature which had fallen  into decay through sin. For Thou art our God, Who with water didst drown sin in the days of Noah. For Thou art our God, Who by the sea, through Moses, freed the Hebrew people from slavery to Pharaoh. For Thou art our God, Who smote the rock in the wilderness, so that waters gushed forth, and torrents welled forth, and Who satisfied Thy thirsty people. For Thou art our God, Who by water and fire, through Elijah, didst set Israel free from the errors of Baal.”

Through these episodes run themes of safe passage, freedom, salvation and transformation, of the waters as a path to a promised land or sacred destination, and of spiritual renewal  – and each of these themes prefigure the Lord’s Baptism, narrated in the final reading from the Gospel of Mark, and celebrated each year on this feast:

“At that time, Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptised of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

In this cosmic event, the freedom, exodus, safe-passage and transformation images of the Old Testament lessons become an eternal spiritual reality, whose promise and power bring freedom and redemption not simply in an earthly and temporal manner to a generation of God’s people in an historical time and place, but to all who seek the Lord in Faith until the end of the ages by entering into the mystery of the Saviour’s victory over death through the waters of the mystery of Holy Baptism.

At His baptism by John, the Eternal Logos and Creator descended into the waters which He Himself had created on the third day, consecrating them by entering their depths with His Divinity clothed in the physicality of the God-Man. Not simply Christ’s Humanity, but His Divinity entered into the Jordan and the elemental waters of the world.

God-Incarnate entered the waters, thus consecrated by the Creator’s very presence, as the the Triune God was made manifest as all of the persons of the Trinity were revealed in this wondrous event – as we hear not only in Mark’s Gospel, but also in the troparion of the feast:

“When Thou, wast baptised in the Jordan, O Lord,  the worship of the Trinity was made manifest; for the voice of the Father bare witness to Thee, calling Thee His beloved Son. And the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the certainty of the word.”

Thus, the Life-Giving Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – in whose name we are born again in our own baptism – seals this feast, and on this annual memorial, we call upon the operation of the Holy Trinity to consecrate the waters.

We beseech the Father to send forth the Holy Spirit, as He did upon the very day of the Lord’s Baptism. We pray that through the descent of the Holy Spirit, the Saviour’s blessing may descend upon and transform the waters, just as His physical descent into the Jordan consecrated, restored and renewed the creation that had been marred and tainted by the disobedience and rebellion of the first-father and first-mother. And, we pray boldly, with confidence in the goodwill and love for man of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, as we ask,

“That these waters may be sanctified by the power, effectual operation and descent of the Holy Spirit… That there may descent upon these waters the cleansing operation of the super-substantial Trinity… That He will endue them with the grace of redemption, the blessing of Jordan, the might, and operation, and descent of the Holy Spirit… That satan may speedily be crushed under our feet, and that every evil council directed against us may be brought to nought… That the Lord our God will free us from every attack and temptation of the enemy, and make us worthy of the good things He hath promised… That He will illumine us with the light of understanding and of piety, through the descent of the Holy Spirit… That the Lord God will send down the blessing of Jordan and sanctify these waters…That this water may be a fountain welling forth unto life eternal… That it may manifest itself effectual unto the averting of every machination of our foes, whether visible or invisible… For those who shall draw of it and take of it unto the sanctification of their homes… That it may be for the purification of the souls and bodies of all those who, with faith, shall draw and partake of it… That He will graciously enable us to perfect sanctification by participation in these waters, through the invisible manifestation of the Holy Spirit…”

Throughout its existence since its foundation by the very Saviour whose baptism is celebrated on this feast,  the Church of Christ has had confidence in this grace-filled sanctification and renewal through the cleansing, restorative and life-giving power of the Holy Spirit.

But, as St John the Wonderworker of Shanghai and San Francisco reminds us, as rational, soul-endowed human beings – not simply elements of nature –  we have to make the conscious decision whether we wish to enter into this wonderful renewal, or rather to allow the grace of the Holy Trinity to renew and restore us. Is it our will, and do we open ourself to the Lord’s wonderful grace?

“Today the Holy Spirit, descending up on the waters when the Cross of Christ is immersed into them, descends up on all of nature. Only in man He cannot enter without his will.

Let us open our hearts and souls to receive Him and with faith cry from the depths of our souls:

“Great art Thou, O Lord, and marvellous are Thy works, and there is no word which sufficeth to hymn Thy wonders.”

Amen!

St Ephrem the Syrian: Hymn 14 of the Epiphany, concerning our Lord and John.

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1. My thought bore me to Jordan,
and I saw a marvel when there was revealed
the glorious Bridegroom who to the Bride
shall bring freedom and holiness.

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

2. I saw John filled with wonder
and the multitudes standing about him
and the glorious Bridegroom bowed down
to the Son of the barren that he might baptise Him.

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

3. At the Word and the Voice my thought marvelled:
for lo! John was the Voice;
our Lord was manifested as the Word,
that what was hidden should become revealed.

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

4. The Bride was espoused but knew not
who was the Bridegroom on whom she gazed:
the guests were assembled, the desert was filled
and our Lord was hidden among them.                                                              

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy

5. Then the Bridegroom revealed Himself
and to John at the voice He drew near:
and the Forerunner was moved and said of Him
This is the Bridegroom Whom I proclaimed.

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

6. He came to baptism Who baptises all
and He showed Himself at Jordan.
John saw Him and drew back
deprecating, and thus he spoke:

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

7. How, my Lord, dost Thou will to be baptised
Thou Who in Thy baptism atonest all?
Baptism looks unto Thee
do Thou shed on it holiness and perfection?

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

8. Our Lord said I will it so
draw near, baptise Me that My Will may be done.
Resist My Will thou cannot:
I shall be baptised of thee, for thus I will it.

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

9. I entreat, my Lord, that I be not compelled
for this is hard that Thou hast said to me
‘I need thee to baptise Me;’
for it is Thou that with Thy hyssop purifiest all.

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

10. I have asked it, and it pleases Me that thus it should be
and thou, John, why dost thou gainsay?
Allow righteousness to be fulfilled
and come, baptise Me; why art thou standing there?

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

11. How can one openly grasp
in his hands the fire that burns?
O Thou that art fire have mercy on me
and bid me not come near Thee, for it is hard for me!

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

12. I have revealed to thee My Will;
what dost thou question?
Draw near, baptise Me, and thou shalt not be burned.
The bridechamber is ready; keep Me not back
from the wedding-feast that has been made ready.

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

13. The Watchers fear and dare not
gaze on Thee lest they be blinded
and I, how, O my Lord, shall I baptise Thee?
I am too weak to draw near; blame me not!

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

14. Thou fearest; therefore gainsay not
against My Will in what I desire:
and Baptism hath respect unto Me.
Accomplish the work to which thou hast been called!

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

15. Lo! I proclaimed Thee at Jordan
in the ears of the people that believed not
and if they shall see Thee baptised of me
they will doubt that Thou art the Lord.

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

16. Lo! I am to be baptised in their sight
and the Father Who sent Me bears witness of Me
that I am His Son and in Me He is well pleased
to reconcile Adam who was under His wrath.

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

17. It becomest, me, O my Lord, to know my nature
that I am moulded out of the ground
and Thee the moulder Who formest all things:
I, then, why should I baptise Thee in water?

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

18. It becomes thee to know why I have come
and for what cause I have desired that thou shouldst baptise Me.
It is the middle of the way wherein I have walked
withhold not Baptism.

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

19. Small is the river whereto Thou hast come
that Thou shouldst lodge therein and it should cleanse Thee.
The heavens suffice not for Thy mightiness;
how much less shall Baptism contain Thee!

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

20. The womb is smaller than Jordan;
yet was I willing to lodge in the Virgin:
and as I was born from woman
so too am I to be baptised in Jordan.

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

21. Lo! The hosts are standing!
the ranks of Watchers, lo! They worship!
And if I draw near, my Lord, to baptise Thee
I tremble for myself with quaking.

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

22. The hosts and multitudes call thee happy
all of them, for that thou baptisest Me.
For this I have chosen thee from the womb:
fear not, for I have willed it.

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

23. I have prepared the way as I was sent:
I have betrothed the Bride as I was commanded.
May Thine Epiphany be spread over the world
now that Thou hast come, and let me not baptise Thee!

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

24. This is My preparation, for so have I willed;
I will go down and be baptised in Jordan,
and make bright the armour for them that are baptised
that they may be white in Me and I not be conquered.

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

25. Son of the Father, why should I baptise Thee?
for lo! Thou art in Thy Father and Thy Father in Thee.
Holiness unto the priests Thou givest –
why dost Thou ask for water that is common?

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

  1. The children of Adam look unto Me
    that I should work for them the new birth.
    A way in the waters I will search out for them
    and if I be not baptised this cannot be.

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

27. High-priests of Thee are consecrated
priests by Thy hyssop are purified –
the anointed and the kings Thou makest.
Baptism, how shall it profit Thee?

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

28. The Bride thou didst betroth to Me awaits Me
that I should go down, be baptised, and sanctify her.
Friend of the Bridegroom withhold Me not
from the washing that awaits Me.

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

29. I am not able, for I am weak
Thou blazest in my hands to grasp.
Lo! Thy legions are as flame
bid one of the Watchers baptise Thee!

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

30. Not from the Watchers was My Body assumed,
that I should summon a Watcher to baptise Me.
The body of Adam, lo! I have put on
and thou, son of Adam, art to baptise Me.

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

31. The waters saw Thee, and greatly feared;
the waters saw Thee, and lo! They tremble!
The river foams in its terror
and I that am weak, how shall I baptise Thee?

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

32. The waters in My Baptism are sanctified,
and fire and the Spirit from Me shall they receive
and if I be not baptised they are not made perfect
to be fruitful of children that shall not die.

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

33. Fire, if to Thy fire it draw near
shall be burnt up of it as stubble.
The mountains of Sinai endured Thee not
and I that am weak, wherein shall I baptise Thee?

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

34. I am the flaming fire
yet for man’s sake I became a babe
in the virgin womb of the maiden.
And now I am to be baptised in Jordan.

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

35. It is very meet that Thou shouldst baptise me
for Thou hast holiness to purify all.
In Thee it is that the defiled are made holy;
but Thou that art holy, why art Thou to be baptised?

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

36. It is very right that thou shouldst baptise Me
as I bid, and should not gainsay.
Lo! I baptised thee within the womb –
baptise me in Jordan!

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

37. I am a bondman and I am weak.
Thou that freest all have mercy on me!
Thy latchets to unloose I am not able
Thine exalted head who will make me worthy to touch?

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

38. Bondmen in My Baptism are set free
handwritings in My washing are blotted out
manumissions in the water are sealed;
and if I be not baptised all these come to nought.

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

39. A mantle of fire the air wears
and waits for Thee, above Jordan;
and if Thou consent to it and will to be baptised
Thou shall baptise Thyself and fulfil all.

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

40. This is meet, that thou should baptise Me
that none may err and say concerning Me –
‘Had He not been alien from the Father’s house –
why feared the Levite to baptise Him?’

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

41. The prayer, then, when Thou art baptised-
how shall I complete over Jordan?
When the Father and the Spirit are seen over Thee –
Whom shall I call on, as priest?

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

42. The prayer in silence is to be completed:
come, thy hand alone lay on Me,
and the Father shall utter in the priest’s stead –
that which is meet concerning His Son.

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

43. They that are bidden, lo! All of them stand –
the Bridegroom’s guests, lo! They bear witness
that day by day I said among them,
‘I am the Voice and not the Word.’

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

44. Voice of him that criest in the wilderness
fulfil the work for which thou didst come –
that the desert whereunto thou didst go out may resound
with the mighty peace thou didst preach therein.

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

45. The shout of the Watchers has come to my ears –
lo! I hear from the Father’s house –
the hosts that sound forth the cry,
‘In Thine Epiphany, O Bridegroom, the worlds have life.’

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

46. The time hastes on, and the marriage guests
look to Me to see what is doing.
Come, baptise Me, that they may give praise
to the Voice of the Father when it is heard!

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

47. I hearken, my Lord, according to Thy Word:
come to Baptism as Thy love constrainest Thee!
The dust worships that whereunto he has attained
that on Him Who fashioned him he should lay his hand.

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

48. The heavenly ranks were silent as they stood
and the Bridegroom went down into Jordan;
the Holy One was baptised and straightway went up
and His Light shone forth on the world.

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

49. The doors of the highest were opened above
and the voice of the Father was heard –
This is my Beloved in Whom I am well pleased.
All ye peoples, come and worship Him.

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

50. They that saw were amazed as they stood,
at the Spirit Who came down and bore witness to Him.
Praise to Thine Epiphany that gladdens all –
Thou in Whose revelation the worlds are lightened!

Response:  Glory to Thee, my Lord, for Heaven and earth worship Thee with joy!

ST EPHREM THE SYRIAN: HYMN 6 ON THE EPIPHANY

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1. The Spirit came down from on high
and hallowed the waters by His brooding.
In the baptism of John,
He passed by the rest and abode on One:
but now He has descended and abode
on all that are born of the water.

Response: Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that you should be absolved from your offenses.

2. Out of all that John baptised
on One it was that the Spirit dwelt:
but now He has flown and come down
that He may dwell on the many
and as each after each comes up, He loves him and abides on him.

Response: Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that you should be absolved from your offenses.

3. A marvel it is that surpasses all!
To the water He went down and was baptised.
The seas declared it blessed,
that river wherein Thou wast baptised:
even the waters that were in heaven envied
because they were not worthy to be Thy bath.

Response: Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that you should be absolved from your offenses.

4. A marvel it is, O my Lord, now also
that while the fountains are full of water
it is the water of baptism
that alone is able to atone.
Mighty is the water in the seas
yet is it too weak for atonement.

Response: Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that you should be absolved from your offenses.

5. Thy might, O my Lord, if it abides
within the humble it exalts him
like as royalty if it abide
within the desert gives it peace.
Water by Thy might has triumphed
over sin, for Life has encompassed it.

Response: Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that you should be absolved from your offenses.

6. The sheep exulted when they saw
the hand draw near to baptise them.
Receive, O you sheep, your sealing; enter and be mingled in the flock!
for more than over all the flock
over you rejoice the Watchers today.

Response: Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that you should be absolved from your offenses.

7. The Angels and the Watchers rejoice
over that which is born of the Spirit and of water:
they rejoice that by fire and by the Spirit
the corporeal have become spiritual.
The Seraphim who sing Holy rejoice
that they who are made holy have been increased.

Response: Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that you should be absolved from your offenses.

8. For lo! The Angels rejoice
over one sinner if he repent:
how much more do they now rejoice
that in all churches and congregations
lo! Baptism is bringing forth
the heavenly from the earthly!

Response: Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that you should be absolved from your offenses.

9. The baptised when they come up are sanctified;
the sealed when they go down are pardoned.
They who come up have put on glory
they who go down have cast off sin.
Adam put off his glory in a moment
you have been clothed with glory in a moment.

Response: Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that you should be absolved from your offenses.

10. A house that is of dust when it has fallen
by means of water can be renewed:
the body of Adam that was of dust
which had fallen by water has been renewed.
Lo! The priests as builders
afresh renew your bodies.

Response: Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that you should be absolved from your offenses.

11. A great marvel is this of the wool
that it can take every dye
as the mind takes every discourse.
By the name of its dye it is called
as you who were
baptised when Hearers,
have gained the name of Recipients.

Response: Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that you should be absolved from your offenses.

12. The common waters he sanctified
even Elisha through the Name that is secret.
In them washed the leper openly
and was cleansed by the Power that is secret:
the leprosy was done away in the water, as transgressions in Baptism.

Response: Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that you should be absolved from your offenses.

13. Today, lo! Your offenses are blotted out
and your names are written down.
The priest blots out in the water
and Christ writes down in Heaven.
By the blotting out and the writing down
lo! Doubled is your rejoicing.

Response: Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that you should be absolved from your offenses.

14. Lo! Mercy has dawned today
and from bound to bound it stretches:
the sun has sunk and mercy has dawned.
Justice has drawn in her wrath; Grace has spread forth her love
lo! she pardons and quickens freely.

Response: Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that you should be absolved from your offenses.

15. The sheep that beforetime were in the fold
lo! They hasten forth to greet
the new lambs that have been added to it.
They are white and are clad in white
within and without white are your bodies as your vestments.

Response: Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that you should be absolved from your offenses.

16. From every mouth Blessed are you,
on every side Blessed are you.
Sin from you is driven out
and the Holy Spirit on you is dwelling.
The Evil One has become sad of countenance;
the Good God makes glad your countenance.

Response: Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that you should be absolved from your offenses.

17. The gift that you have received freely
cease not from watching over it:
this pearl if it shall be lost
cannot again be sought out
for it is like to virginity
which if it be lost is not to be found.

Response: Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that you should be absolved from your offenses.

18. May you from all defilement
be kept by the power of your white robes!
and he whose freedom has defiled itself
may it be able to wash itself clean by his weeping!
For me who am servant of the community
may the supplication of the community win pardon!

Response: Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that you should be absolved from your offenses.

19. To the author who has toiled in words
be reconciliation in rest!
to the teacher who has toiled with voice
be forgiveness through grace!
to the priest who has toiled in baptizing
let there come the crown of righteousness!

Response: Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that you should be absolved from your offenses.

20. From every mouth with one consent,
of those beneath and those above
Watchers, Cherubim, and Seraphim
the baptised, the sealed, and the hearers
let each of us cry aloud and say
Glory to the Lord of our feasts!

Response: Blessed be He Who was baptised that He might baptise you, that you should be absolved from your offenses.