Celebrating Jesus’ Baptism

Icon of the Holy Feast of the Epiphany of our Lord

By Michael Antoon

On January 6th, the Chaldean Church celebrates the Feast of the Epiphany, or “Denha,” one of its most sacred traditions. This day commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River by John the Baptist, a moment that unveiled His divine identity and began His earthly ministry— a revelation for all humanity.

The name “Denha” comes from the Aramaic word that signifies “illumination” or “shining forth,” derived from the root meaning “to rise,” “to appear,” or “to shine.” It amplifies the significance of the feast as the day when Christ’s divine nature was made manifest to the world, much like the rising of a new light. As the Gospels recount, when Jesus emerged from the waters of the Jordan, the heavens opened, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him like a dove, and a voice from heaven proclaimed, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17) This moment captures the unity of the Holy Trinity and marks the beginning of Jesus’ mission to bring salvation to the world.

This sacred moment is vividly depicted in the iconography of Denha. The top right of the icon is inscribed “Holy Feast: Denha of our Lord” and the top left written: “Rejoice all people before the savior, His Epiphany gladdened all.” At the top-center of the icon is the Aramaic ‘Yahweh’ symbol, represented by the letters Yodh (y) and Hea (h), with three dots above symbolizing the Trinity. These three dots descend into one, signifying divine unity. Below Yahweh is inscribed ‘Ruh-Qudhsha,’ the Holy Spirit, descending like a dove upon Jesus.

The man on the left, as inscribed, is Youhanan Ma’mdhana, or John the Baptist. Turning to Jesus in the center, who is being baptized in the river Jordan, we see again the Yahweh symbol above His head symbolizing His Godliness, and the Aramaic letters Alap (a) and Taw (t). These letters correspond to the letters Alpha and Omega of the Greek alphabet and are the first and last letters in the Aramaic alphabet. Reading from the Book of Revelation, we see the significance of Alep and Taw as Jesus says: “I am Alep and Taw, (Alpha and Omega), the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” (Revelation 22:13)

For the Chaldean faithful, Denha is a deeply spiritual time that calls us to reflect on the gift of baptism. Through His baptism, Jesus sanctified the waters, transforming them into a source of new life for all believers. He also instructed us to follow His example, saying, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)

Our own baptism echoes this divine moment, marking our entry into the family of God and calling us to live as His children. According to His Excellency Bishop Sarhad Jammo in his book The Chaldean Liturgy, the Chaldean rite of baptism has three distinctive parts: first, the presentation of the child to the church by faithful sponsors; second, the rejection of Satan and all evil works while reciting the Creed of Faith; and finally, the baptism itself as Jesus commanded, “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

The Chaldean liturgy for baptisms further emphasizes this spiritual transformation through meaningful gestures. The child first faces west, turning away from the altar, as “a sign of the darkness of life before baptism.” After rejecting Satan, the child turns to the east, facing the altar, “as a sign of the light of baptism.” The child then confesses faith in Christ, symbolizing a transition from darkness to light.

Immediately after the baptism, the priest and deacons proclaim the Madrasha Shmayya w’Ar’a from the Feast of Denha: “Heaven and earth sing glory on the day of the baptism of the King of Kings. It is right that He be honored by all, who made everyone rejoice through His epiphany.” This hymn connects the joy of a child’s baptism with the universal celebration of Christ’s own baptism and divine revelation, reminding the faithful of the renewal and sanctification brought through His baptism.

The celebration of Denha in the Chaldean Church is rich with tradition. It is considered one of the most important feast days in the Church. One of the highlights of the Holy Mysteries (Mass) is the chanting of the “Oneetha d’Raze” (Hymn of the Mysteries), which beautifully captures the significance of Christ’s baptism.

The hymn proclaims: “Sing to the Lord a new song: The creation has now been renewed by its Lord, and it recognizes her Savior. In the Jordan’s streams He was baptized and revealed the Blessed Trinity; The Father called out and said: ‘This is My Beloved Son, in Him I am pleased!’ And the Spirit came and rested on Him and revealed His glory to all.”

This hymn echoes through the church, reminding the faithful of the divine revelation at the Jordan River and the renewal of creation. During the Holy Mysteries, hymns and prayers emphasize Christ’s divinity and the sanctification brought through His baptism.

The feast also highlights the role of John the Baptist, the forerunner who prepared the way for Christ. His humility in recognizing Jesus as the Lamb of God calls us to reflect on our own roles as witnesses to faith. By rejecting personal glory and directing others toward Christ, John sets an example of selflessness and courage. The Chaldean Church honors St. John the Baptist with a feast day celebrated on the Friday immediately following Denha, the Epiphany of the Lord. His life inspires us to embody this spirit by serving those in need, standing firm in truth, and encouraging faith within our communities.

As we begin this new year, the Epiphany of our Lord invites us to embrace the light and hope Christ brings into our lives. By committing ourselves to prayer, fasting, and charity, we can deepen our faith and strengthen our bonds to the Lord and one another.

The Feast of Denha, the Epiphany of our Lord, is not just a remembrance of the past but a living call to action. As we celebrate this holy day, let us carry the light of Christ into the world, becoming beacons of hope and love. May this day of revelation renew our spirits, strengthen our faith, and unite us as one body in Christ.