The Baptism of the Lord, or Epiphany, is celebrated on Monday night in the Russian Orthodox Church.
In those days, John the Baptist preached about the coming Savior and the Kingdom of Heaven. Many people came to him from Jerusalem. They confessed their sins to John, and he baptized them in the Jordan River. John called people to repentance, and after confessing sins he immersed them in water three times. He said that whoever followed him would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Jesus also came to him. John held Him back, saying that he needed to be baptized by Him, and not vice versa. But Christ said, 'Leave it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness,' and entered the waters of Jordan. At that moment, Heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on Him. Thus, the three hypostases of the Holy Trinity appeared to people: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Therefore, in the Orthodox Church, the feast of the Baptism of the Lord has a second name - Epiphany.
And, being baptized, Jesus immediately came out of the water - and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and John saw the Spirit of God, who descended like a dove and descended on Him. And behold, a voice from heaven saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. ( Matthew 3: 16-17)
