Theophany

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3 days ago
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Updated: 2 days ago

Saturday 17th January 2026 @ 7pm

Good Shepherd Chapel, Abbotsford Victoria

As the faithful arrived, Father Mark’s organ playing filled the chapel with a gentle, prayerful warmth. At the centre of the church stood three fonts of water, gathered from the mountains, waiting quietly to be sanctified. Before the liturgy began, the community joyfully welcomed Patrick, our newest altar server, marking the beginning of a night rich in blessing and renewal.

The Entrance Hymn opened the service as Metropolitan Raffaele entered with our three altar servers, clothed in new blue robes—the colour of revelation, renewal, and divine life. Metropolitan Raffaele spoke briefly about the meaning of witness: the witness of martyrdom, the witness of matrimony, and the daily witness of faith lived with integrity.

We then prayed the Common Prayer together, followed by the Kyrie and Gloria. Father Mark proclaimed the Epistle, speaking of a love that is spiritual and transformative. The Prokiminon was sung with Alleluia, preparing our hearts for the Gospel.

The Gospel was carried among the people, and Metropolitan Raffaele proclaimed from St Mark, recounting the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan.

In his homily, Metropolitan Raffaele reflected on the Thrice-Holy God, reminding us that we come to know the Father through the Son, revealed by the Holy Spirit. Theophany is the moment when heaven opens and God makes Himself known.

He spoke of St Helena, who journeyed to the Holy Land seeking the sacred places of Christ’s life. Unsure of where Golgotha lay, she fasted for three nights until Christ appeared to her in a dream, pointing to a bush of basil. Beneath that basil—the herb of the King—the Holy Cross was found. The Metropolitan reminded us that from basil comes the word basilica, a house built for the King of Kings.

Basil, Metropolitan Raffaele explained, has long been a sign of healing. It is dipped into the water tonight because it carries both the memory of the Cross and the promise of restoration. Just as the waters of the Jordan flowed backwards when Christ entered them, so all creation turned again toward God. As Israel once received manna, now the world receives grace.

He went on to explain that when Christ stepped into the waters, He did not need cleansing; instead, He cleansed the waters themselves, filling them with the Spirit of healing and peace. The Holy Spirit descended as a dove, resting only upon what is pure, and the voice of the Father revealed the Son. That voice, Metropolitan Raffaele said, is the same voice that calls us to pause, to repent, and to begin again.

The Metropolitan explained that John the Baptist, who had disciples of his own, handed them over to Christ. In doing so, he gave true witness. Witness, Metropolitan Raffaele reminded us, is something felt deep within the soul—like the certainty one feels when stepping into the house of the Lord, or the solemn responsibility of standing witness at a marriage.

The community then prepared for the Sanctification of the Waters. Metropolitan Raffaele chanted as we responded again and again with “Lord, have mercy.” Father Mark added his voice in chant. Together they breathed upon the waters, traced the sign of the Cross upon them, immersed the basil, and then plunged the Cross itself into the font. Incense was offered, and the newly sanctified water was sprinkled upon the people, sealing the blessing of Theophany.

The liturgy continued with the presentation of Baby Platon, blessed and welcomed into the life of the Church. After a deep breath and a strong exhale, the child was anointed with oil, and the Dance of Isaiah was joyfully made around the altar.

A couple celebrating their wedding anniversary then came forward to renew their commitment of love. Both Con and Sonia were anointed, and together they were lead around the altar by Metropolitan Raffaele, their union lifted up in thanksgiving and prayer.

Next, the gifts were brought forward as the sign of peace was exchanged. The Creed was proclaimed, followed by the Sanctus, and the gifts were honoured, blessed, and transfigured.

We honoured the Theotokos with prayer and hymn, prayed the Our Father, and sang the Agnus Dei as Holy Communion was prepared.

The clergy took communion together, with Server Patrick receiving for the first time in service, before the congregation were invited to receive as well.

After communion, a Thanksgiving Hymn was sung as the sacred gifts were returned to the side altar. Metropolitan Raffaele then concluded with a reflection on St Anthony of Egypt, whose name means beautiful flower, nourishing the world with its fragrance.

He spoke of the Gospel where Christ challenges the rich man—not condemning wealth itself, but asking what we do with what we have been given. Are we willing to part with even a small portion to help those in need?

St Anthony gave everything away, first ensuring his sister was provided for, then withdrawing into the desert where others came to learn from him. God, Metropolitan Raffaele said, continually sends people to the Church to awaken and nourish us.

With plenty of holy water and blessed bread, we were encouraged to take what we had received home—not only for ourselves, but for those who need healing and strength. Once again, he reminded us of St Luke the physician, whose care healed not by force, but through faith and holy water.

The liturgy concluded with a final hymn, after which the faithful came forward to fill their bottles with holy water, carrying the blessing of Theophany into their homes. The evening ended with agape, as the community gathered in warmth and fellowship.