On the Feast of Theophany, the whole universe is illumined: the heavens rejoice conveying to people the voice of God the Father that descends from high above; the air and the waters are sanctified by the Holy Spirit; all of God’s creation rejoices.

Today the Lord, through His baptism in the waters of Jordan, destroyed the sins of men with His immeasurable righteousness, sanctified the waters and gave them the never-ending power to change man by way of the Holy Spirit. Speaking of the greatness of this event, the apostle Paul exclaims: “The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11).

By the Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Feast of Baptism, waters are made capable of giving not only temporal, but also eternal life; that is why the Church calls it a great treasure and encourages to use water at homes in case of sickness and spiritual sorrow, for purification and renewal.

On the eve of the feast, the evening services at the Seraphim-Diveyevo monastery were held in the Trinity and Transfiguration Cathedrals, and on the feast day there were three liturgy services: two during the night and one late in the morning.