Baptism of Christ (mosaic, 10th c, St. Mark’s, Venice, Italy)

When the Lord was baptized in the river Jordan;
On that bright day before all the people,
The Heavens on high became wide open,
And the angels drew near to the water.

At once St. John was filled with fear
On feeling the Heavens breathing so near.
The Spirit Almighty as a dove descended,
To rest on Christ, God’s Son beloved.

In this way God sanctified the waters,
And when the Lord rose up from it,
A strange voice was heard from Heaven:
“This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.
Listen to what He will tell you about Me.
Obey Him so that you can find joy in Me.
Obey Him so that you can crush every devil,
And be received as my sons in Heaven.”

Dear brothers we were baptized also;
Sanctified by the Spirit Almighty
And, in Christ’s army we are called to fight,
And in eternity to glorify His love and might.

When the Lord was baptized in the river Jordan;
On that bright day before all the people,
The heavens on high became wide open,
And the angels drew near to the water.

~ A poem by St. Nikolaj Velimirović of  Žiča 

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Wishing you all a very blessed Feast of the Baptism of the Lord!