Theophany/ Epiphany (ദനഹാ)
The word "Theophany" originates from the Greek word "Theophania" which means "God's Manifestation", while Epiphany implies "Manifestation from Above".
Therefore, both are manifestations. Theophany is the term we use in the Orthodox Church to mark the baptism of our Lord and the manifestation of the Trinity that followed it. All of the celebrations of our Lord Jesus Christ's incarnation are typically referred to together as "Epiphany" (Nativity, Circumcision etc).
According to the Syriac Orthodox Church's liturgical calendar, *January 6* is the Feast day of the Theophany (in Syriac, as well as in Malayalam, this is referred to as “Denho/Denha”). It is one of the three main festivals of the Syriac Church from the fourth century, together with Easter and Pentecost. This is also the event that replaced circumcision.
In earlier times, the Syriac Church commemorated Jesus' birth (Nativity) also during Denho. Wonderful hymns about the Nativity which were penned by St. Ephrem are chanted and meditated on that day. But when the Roman date of December 25 was established, the birth narrative separated from the manifestation and baptism.
Mor Ephrem‘s hymn:
See, Fire and Spirit in the womb that bore You!
See, Fire and Spirit in the river where You were baptised!
Fire and Spirit in our Baptism; in the Bread and the Cup, Fire and Holy Spirit!“
Denho, which translates as "the light," refers to Jesus, who is the Light. In John 8:12. Jesus said: "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”
Theologically speaking, the term "Denho," which also translates to "the rise of the sun" in Syriac, indicates the heavenly manifestation that took place during Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River. Probably, the idea of Jesus as the Sun of righteousness in the early Church served as inspiration for the phrase Denho used to describe this feast.
As a result of the simultaneous revelation of God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the steward, to the world, this feast is known as the feast of manifestation. The long-standing mystery of the Triune God, which had been kept secret for humans, was ultimately revealed for the first time on this day
The commemoration of Jesus' baptism is also important for all of Christianity because Jesus humbled himself in front of his creation. Even though He was, is, and always has been pure, and He didn't need to be baptized, as we need, He nonetheless came for baptism to demonstrate His readiness to identify with us, in our weaknesses and our humanity.
On this theologically significant event, may we likewise seek refuge in God's presence.
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