The Holy Theophany of our Lord

The Lord comes to John the Baptist to be baptized. With his hand gesturing towards Christ, John says, "It is I who needs to be baptized by you and yet you come to me." . The right hand of the Lord is shown blessing John to perform the baptism. In his left hand is a scroll symbolizing the Gospel. Andrew and possibly Philip, who were the disciples of John the Baptist, watch from a distance.

An axe is shown laid near the roots of a tree. A depiction of the words of John the Baptist concerning the coming of the Messiah and the judgement of God on those who do not repent and live the Gospel. "And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."

John the Baptist gazes upon the Holy Spirit descending like a dove as he baptizes the Lord. His right hand touching the head of Christ, his left hand opened in a posture of prayer and awe saying, "How can I, who am the lamp, illumine You, who are the Light? How can I, the servant, lay my hand on You, my Master? I pray You sanctify me and the waters, O Savior, who takes away the sin of the world!" (Vesperal Liturgy hymn)

The Holy Angels, bow towards Christ with awe and love, their covered hands symbolize their reverence for the Son of God in the flesh as the Image of God in human form. "When our Redeemer was baptized by His servant, and the Holy Spirit was present and bore witness to Him, the armies of Angels watched and trembled, and from heaven a voice came from the Father, "He, on whom the Forerunner lays his hand, is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." O Christ our God, glory to You! (Hymn from Vesperal Liturgy)

The Forerunner trembled in reaction, and he cried out and said, "How can I, who am the lamp, illumine You, who are the Light? How can I, the servant, lay my hand on You, my Master? I pray You sanctify me and the waters, O Savior, who takes away the sin of the world!" (Hymn from the Vesperal Liturgy)

The Holy Spirit descending like a dove. The circular shape at the top is called a mandorla. It symbolizes the divine glory of God. The icon depicts the Epiphany or revelation of the Holy Trinity in one place: we hear the voice of the Father, we see the Holy Spirit descending like a dove, and the incarnate Son of God stands in the waters. God reclaims and sanctifies his creation through himself.

The baptism of Christ took place during the day. In the icon, the radiant stars symbolize how God's creation worships Him and rejoices in seeing Him. "The sun sings Your praises and the moon glorifies You. The stars intercede with You. The light obeys You. The deeps shudder before You. The water springs serve You." (Baptismal prayer of St. Sophronius of Jerusalem)

The sea creatures symbolize the ancient pagan river gods. In the psalms and liturgical hymns they are referred to as the dragons or serpents (i.e. demonic spirits) that inhabited the waters. They flee from the presence of the true God.

The Lord Jesus Christ appears in the center of the icon. His right hand is pointing downwards, blessing the waters. His face and eyes are directed at all of us, his creation, for whom he has come to save. His exposed body, wearing only a loincloth, symbolizes that he was fully human as well as his extreme humility and self-offering. In this same manner and meaning, he is depicted crucified on the cross.

The Jordan river is depicted in tumult. According to the Holy Tradition, when Christ entered the waters it reversed its flow, as the fulfillment of the prophecy, "The waters saw You, O God; The waters saw You, they were afraid; The depths also trembled."