1. Epiphany: St. John the Baptist Baptizes Jesus Christ Tubah 8, 1726 AM-January 16, 2010

2. Memory Verse “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:22)

3. Introduction When do we celebrate the Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ Tubah 11, 1726 AM / January 19, 2010 Have you ever seen a baby baptized in church?

4. A Story …. Every Sunday (sometimes Saturday) morning the mom and the dad wake up early and take baby Andrea to go to church! They wear their nicest clothes and come to church to celebrate the Liturgy prayers. Today, was a little different. Because today, Andrea will be baptized to become a Christian like all her brothers and sisters in church. Andrea’s mom prepared the white dress, that Andrea would put on after baptism.

5. Getting Everything Ready! In the early morning the family went to church, to the baptistery. Abona prayed to sanctify the water. He consecrated it with chrism (Myron)

6. From the West … The mother held Andrea in her left arm and faced the west and said: “I renounce you O Satan, all you evil deeds and all your wicked powers.” This is a declaration that we are enemies to the devil and all his evil ways.

7. … toward the East The mother then took Andrea on her right side and looked towards the east and said: “I acknowledge thee O Christ my Lord and all your sincere laws and all your commands, deeds, and work that give life.” This is the declaration of the Christian faith.

8. Baptism AbonaImmersed Andrea 3 times in the baptism water saying: “ Andrea, I baptize you in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” The baptized person is immersed completely under water because we are buried with Christ and also risen with Him to enjoy a new life (Romans 6:4-6)

10. Chrismation Then he took the Chrism bottle (Myron) and anointed Andrea 36 times: Head Chest Heart Back Hands Top of shoulders Palm of hands and the back of hands Lower half of the body Saying : “Andrea, I anoint you with the Holy oil in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”

12. The White Dress and Girdle Abona prays: “May you be blessed with the blessings of the heavenly creatures and the heavenly angels.” Then he breathed into his face saying: “Receive the Holy Spirit and be a pure vessel through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Abona then dressed Andrea in the white dress and tied a red ribbon called a girdle the power and deep joy – Now Andrea is bride that belongs to our Lord Jesus Christ.

17. East = I accept You, Christ Jesus our Lord and all Your commandments that give life.How many times does Abona immerse the baby? - 3 times 4. How many times does Abona anoint the baby with Myron Oil? 36 times 5. What is this called? Why does he do that? Chrismation = Just as Our Lord was shrouded with spices before his burial, we are sanctified with the Lord both body and soul. We become a Holy temple for the Holy Spirit 6. What is the girdle? What does it stand for? A red ribbon, a sign of victory like that of resurrection!

18. Baptized in the Jordan Our Lord Jesus Christ was baptized like us in the Jordan River by St. John the Baptist Do you remember the story of his birth? “Prepare the way of the Lord” (Luke 3:4) St. John the Baptist called for all to repent and be washed of all their sins in the Jordan River “Then went out to Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, telling about their sins.”

19. Baptized with the Holy Spirit + Fire He said to the people, “I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is better than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry, He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

20. I need to be baptized by You, Lord Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John the Baptist, to baptize Him. St. John would have prevented him saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” But Jesus encouraged him and told him that we have to do all the good things.

21. And when Jesus was baptized, He went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened and He saw the spirit of God descending like a dove, and a light on Him, and lo, a voice from heaven saying: “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

22. What salt is for any food, humility is for every virtue. (St. Issac the Syrian) Our Lord Jesus Christ showed us how to be humble. He left his throne in heaven and became man on earth He went to John the Baptist to be baptized by him.

23. Pop Quiz Where did John the Baptist baptize people? - Jordan River 2. What did he say to the people? Repent for your sins because Him who comes after me is preferred before me 3. What did Jesus request John the Baptist to do? Baptize Him 4. What happened when Jesus went up from the water? What did John the Baptist see? What did the voice say? The heavens opened, there appeared a dove and bright light on Jesus and a voice that said: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” 5. St. John baptized with water? We are baptized through ___________ Holy Spirit