In the Orthodox Church, there are twelve special days related to the great two-hundredth holidays. These celebrations are the memory of the Church about historical events that have special spiritual significance for man. On January 19, the Orthodox Church celebrates the Baptism of Jesus Christ with special magnificence.
The historical event of the baptism of Jesus Christ in Jordan by the holy prophet John the Baptist is described in detail in the three Gospels: in particular, in the gospel of Mark, Luke and Matthew. In addition, the apostle John the Evangelist in his Gospel also mentions this fact, but indirectly - in the form of a testimony of John the Baptist himself about the event.
The Gospel of Luke tells us that Christ received the Old Testament baptism at the age of 30 in the Jordan River. This age is not accidental, because in ancient Israel, the thirtieth anniversary marked the formation of a man, in addition, it was precisely after reaching these years that a person could begin to preach.
The baptism of Jesus Christ took place, according to the gospel story, in Bethar (about ten km. From the confluence of the Jordan into the Dead Sea). St. John, seeing the spirit of all the greatness of the incarnate God, initially did not want to baptize the Savior, asking for the baptism of the latter. However, Christ insisted on his baptism, because it was so necessary to fulfill “all righteousness” (Matt. 3, 15).
It is worth noting that the Old Testament baptism was a testimony of faith in the true God, as well as a baptism of repentance, because people, entering the Jordan, confessed their sins. In these senses, Christ did not need to be baptized, because he was sinless, and there was no need to profess faith in God (himself as one of the Persons of the Holy Trinity). However, Christ does this for the people, so that the Jews do not see in him an apostate from their faith. The Holy Fathers see the baptismal meaning of Christ. Thus, it is said that Christ washed the sins of all mankind in the Jordan River, and the Old Testament baptism performed by Christ was a prototype of the modern sacrament of baptism.
The Gospels tell us that Christ immediately came out of the water (that is, he came out silently, without confessing sins). During the very baptism, the Holy Spirit descended on Christ in the form of a dove, and the voice of God the Father was heard, saying that Christ is his beloved Son and has the favor of the Father. Many people witnessed these events, and from that the Epiphany is also called the Epiphany, because the whole Holy Trinity was revealed to the people.
The baptism of the Lord Jesus Christ was the first significant public event committed by Christ. From that moment, the Savior began to preach to people about the salvation and approach of the Kingdom of Heaven.
