Question first
appeared on February 16, 2002
Is
there a difference between Epiphany and Theophany?
Both
terms have been used interchangeably when speaking of the Christian Feast day
of January 6. The Christian West primarily uses the term AEpiphany@
when speaking of this feast. They
emphasize the manifestation of the divine nature of Christ to the Gentiles as
represented by the Magi.
In general, the term Aepiphany@ means a sudden manifestation of the essence or meaning
of something. For this
reason, the Orthodox East prefers the specific term ATheophany@ which means the sudden manifestation of the essence of
GodBTheos. Our
feast day emphasizes the manifestation of God as Trinity at the baptism
of Jesus. The Son is
baptized at the hands of John the Baptist, the Holy Spirit descends in
the form of a dove, and the Father speaks, AThis is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.@
İVery
Rev. Fr. Olof Scott, Sunday Bulletin, February 16, 2002
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