The Theophany of Our Lord

-

This icon depicts the baptism of Christ in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. According to the Bible, during the baptism, a voice from heaven proclaimed that Christ was the Son of God. The word theophany means the appearance of God to man from the Greek word theophaneia. All three persons of the Holy Trinity are present in the icon: God the Father, top center; the Holy Spirit, who appears in the form of a dove over Christ’s head; and Christ. At the top right and left corners are scenes of the temptation of Christ by Satan who is shown as a dark winged creature.