Проповедь, произнесённая на святой праздник Богоявления

In the Gospel that was read today, we all heard that after being baptized, Jesus immediately came out of the water. At that moment the heavens opened and John saw the Spirit of God descending in the form of a dove and landing on Jesus. And at the same time a voice was heard from heaven saying: “This is my beloved Son, whom I have chosen” (Matthew 3:17). Great and high, my brothers, is the sacrament of the Baptism of Christ, which is narrated in those few words that have just been spoken. Despite the fact that this sacrament is difficult to interpret and comprehend, let us follow the call of the One who encourages us to search the Scriptures and try, as far as possible, to comprehend the meaning of the gospel event celebrated today. The Holy Spirit, who appeared in this event by descending from Heaven, as well as the heard voice of the Father, revealed the secret of the Holy Trinity. Jesus was not baptized by three immersions, as we are, but by only one immersion. The immersion of Christ in water foreshadowed His descent into hell. When He was just leaving, but not yet out of the water, the heavens opened to Him. They opened in order to show us that above the heavens, in the heavenly world, there is nothing higher than Christ, now revealed in Baptism. We must also understand that the Nature and Dominion of the Holy Trinity alone fills everything with Itself, leaving nothing outside of Itself. It holds everything back, controls everything, and gives life to everything. The heavens, like universal lips, opened only over Jesus, in order to announce to everyone that the Son of God has the same Nature and Dominion as the Father and the Holy Spirit. The holy first martyr and archdeacon Stephen, during his martyrdom, knelt in prayer and raised his eyes upward, and saw the open heavens and Jesus in the glory of His Father. The holy first martyr was able to see this mysterious sight because Jesus Himself attracted him to Himself, and the first deacon was honored to become His first martyr. And the Holy Spirit, Who descends in the form of a dove, wants to reveal the purity of the One on Whom He descends. The voice, heard by all, proclaims that the One whom John baptizes in the Jordan is the Beloved Son of God. Jesus Christ gives joy to each of us, He wants absolutely all of us to be saved. Through His deeds, words and suffering He showed us the way of salvation. To each of us, if we really believe in Him, He grants remission of sins in Holy Baptism. By repentance, keeping His commandments, and partaking of His Holy Body and Blood, He renews not only human nature, but also the hypostasis of each of us. We were all honored to receive Holy Baptism, during which we made vows to God and came to know the Truth. Our deeds and words must absolutely correspond to these vows we have made. After all, if deeds do not follow, then there is no benefit from vows made to God. Christ is the Living and True God and He expects from us true promises and living, not dead faith. However, “faith without works is dead.” The beginning and end of life in Christ is repentance. Repentance is to hate sin and love virtue. However, confession to the confessor is preceded by condemnation of oneself for sins and asking forgiveness from God, to whom the penitent resorts with a contrite heart. In the sacrament of confession, the boundless ocean of God's compassion is revealed to us. And we, approaching this sacrament, from our hearts repeat before Him the words of the repentant prodigal son: “Lord, I am not worthy to be called Your son, but make me like one of Your workers” (Luke 15:19). My brothers! I, who speak these words to you, experience no less mental pain, reflecting on the fact that we, who were worthy to be baptized into Christ, have not yet experienced His greatness. In the Baptism of the Lord we received a spiritual font that washes and enlightens us all, freeing us from sin and granting us eternal life. Let us prayerfully wish each of us to be worthy of becoming a partaker of this life, the life that is hidden in the King of the ages - Christ, to Whom is due all glory, honor and worship, with His Beginning Father and the All-Holy, Good and Life-giving Spirit.