Kontakion of Christ's Baptism Explained

Editor's Note: This is a Kontakion of St. Romanus concerning the Feast of Theophany and the Baptism of Christ has St. Romanus presenting us with a dialogue between Christ and the Holy Forerunner. During that conversation, St. Romanus—with his Spirit-filled hymnology—gives us a look into both the “Mysterion” of Christ’s Baptism and the incomprehensible Word Himself—Who “became flesh and tabernacled amongst us” [John 1:14]! The annotations which guide one's reading of these kontakia is from Fr. Demetrios Carellas when he sent these out as nightly emails many years ago, and a few additional comments from The Orthodox Ethos. The translation source is unknown but probably amended from the publication of University of Missouri by Majorie Carpenter in 1970.

Prooimion [This is the Kontakion that is sung on January 6th.]:

“Today, Thou hast appeared unto the world. And Thy light, O Lord, is signed on us, who sing Thy praise and chant with knowledge: Thou hast come, Thou hast appeared, O Light unapproachable.”

Strophe 1: “In the Galilee of nations, in the country of Zebulon and in the land of Naphthali, Christ - the great Light - hast shown forth, as the Prophet said [Isaiah 9:1-6]. For those in darkness, a shining light has been seen — sending its beams from Bethlehem; or rather, Christ, the Sun of righteousness, born of Mary, sends forth rays of light to the world. Come, therefore, all naked sons of Adam, let us cloth him again that we may be warmed. As covering for the naked, as light for those in darkness, Thou hast come, Thou hast appeared, O Light unapproachable."

Strophe 2: "God did not despise the one who, in Paradise, was tricked by guile; and despoiled of the robe which God had woven for him. Again, He has come to him --- calling, with holy voice, the one who was misled: 'Where are you, Adam? This time do not hide from Me; I wish to see you. Even if you are naked and poor, do not be ashamed; for I am fashioned like you. Even though you desired it, you did not become God; but I now have willed it and become flesh. Draw near to Me and recognize Me, so that you may say: "Thou hast come, Thou hast appeared, O Light unapproachable."'"

Strophe 3: "'Overcome by feelings of compassion, I, the merciful, have come to My creature, --- holding out My hands that I might embrace you. Do not feel shame before Me; it is for you, who are naked, that I became naked and came to be baptized. Now the Jordan is open for Me [Psalm 113(114):5], and John prepares the way for me in the water and in the hearts of men.' Having addressed the man [Adam] - in deed, not in words - the Saviour came, as He said. Directing his footsteps near the river, He appeared to the Forerunner as the unapproachable Light."

Strophe 4: "Seeing the river in the desert, and the dew in the furnace, and the rain shower in the Virgin*, John, seeing Christ in the Jordan, was struck with fear --- just as his father trembled before Gabriel. But now things were more momentous than ever before, for the Lord of the angels was coming to a servant --- wishing to be baptized. So the Baptist, recognizing the Creator and taking measure of himself, spoke as he trembled: 'Stop, Redeemer, let it be enough up to this point; for I know Who Thou art, the unapproachable Light.'"

* Three miracles are being described here: The God-seer, Moses, taking water from the rock [Numbers 20:2-13]; the Three Youths in the fiery furnace [Daniel 3:23-27]; and the dew on the fleece [a prefiguration of our Most Holy Theotokos giving flesh to the Word] of the righteous Gideon [Judges 6:37].

Note: In Strophe's 5 - 7, the holy Forerunner is speaking to our Lord Jesus.

Strophe 5: "If I bring to pass, Saviour, what Thou hast ordered, I shall raise my horn aloft. However, I shall not hastily seize what is beyond my power. I know Who Thou art, and I am not unaware of what Thou wert; for I recognized Thee from Thy mother's womb. How, therefore, shall I not recognize Thine appearance now --- the One Whom I observed hidden in Thy mother's womb, as I skipped with joy? Stop, then, Saviour, and do not overwhelm me. It is sufficient that I am deemed worthy to see Thee. It is wonderful for Me if Thou dost call me Forerunner, for Thou art the unapproachable Light."

Strophe 6: "I ask to hand over to Thee the role of baptizing, for it is fitting for Thee; for I have need of being baptized by Thee. Thou dost come to me and anticipate me asking what I would ask Thee. What dost Thou seek from a man, O Lover of man? Why dost Thou incline Thy head beneath my hand, for it is not it's custom to hold fire? This hand is poor, and does not know how to lend to the rich. This hand is weak and cannot resist pressure from the strong. It will be of service to the sinners, for they have need. For Thou art the unapproachable Light."

Strophe 7: "Why didst Thou come to this water? What dost Thou wish to wash away, or what sin, Thou Who wast conceived and born without sin? Thou dost come to me, but heaven and earth keep watch to see if I shall be rash. Thou dost say to me: 'Baptize Me'; but angels will look down from on high, and then say: 'Know thyself; to what lengths will this go'? As Moses said: 'Choose another, O Saviour, for this which Thou dost ask of me is too much, and I am afraid [Exodus 4:10-13]'. I beseech Thee, How shall I baptize the unapproachable Light?"

Note: In Strophes 8 - 11, our Lord Jesus replies to the holy Forerunner's concerns

Strophe 8: "He Who knows all in advance, seeing the fear of the Forerunner, answered him: O John, rightly, rightly you fear Me. Nevertheless, now permit this; for it is fitting to bring to pass what was foreordained. And now, shake off your fear. You owe Me your ministry, and it is necessary to fulfill it. I once sent Gabriel on a mission, and he accomplished it well at the time of your birth. Then do you send your hand to Me as a messenger, in order that it may baptize the unapproachable Light.'"

Strophe 9: "Now you are terrified, Baptist, and tremble before this great deed, for it is great; but your parent observed greater than this: Consider Mary, and consider well how she bore Me. Of course, you will say to Me: 'In that case, You willed it.' Well, now I will this. Do not hesitate, baptize Me; merely lend Me your right hand. I dwell in your spirit, and possess you entirely. Why then do you not lend Me your hand? I am within you and outside you. Why do you flee from Me? Stand and hold the unapproachable Light."

Strophe 10: "I do not ask you, Baptist, to step out of bounds. I do not say to you: 'Tell Me the things you would say to the lawless, and what you suggest to sinners.' Only baptize Me in silence and in expectation of what follows the baptism. For you will achieve honor from this, such as did not fall to the lot of the angels; for I shall make you greater than all the prophets. No one of them saw Me clearly, but rather in images, shadows and dreams. But you, according to My will, see Me standing by your side --- you touch the unapproachable Light."

Strophe 11: "Discontinue what you are saying, and do what you hear. Do not bear witness for Me [i.e., This moment is not the time for your witness, nor is it necessary.]; for always there is faithful witness in Heaven. The people standing here do not rightly receive your witness. Therefore, let them learn from Heaven Who I am and of Whom I was born, and what Grace I am about to bestow on My well-beloved. I shall open up the Heavens and have the Holy Spirit descend. I shall give them this as a pledge. Come, therefore, draw near, so that you may learn from what source flashes forth the unapproachable Light."

Note: The Forerunner raises another concern

Strophe 12: "When he heard the mysterious and awesome words, the one born of the barren woman spoke to the One born of the Virgin: 'If I speak again, do not be angry with me, Redeemer, for necessity impels me to speak very freely. Why, O Saviour, just so that they may know Thee, shall I endanger my poor hand by casting it into the furnace? Uzzah formerly stretched forth his hand to grasp the Ark, and it was broken off [II Kings (II Samuel)6:6-8]. Now, if I hold the head of my God, how shall I not be burned by the unapproachable Light?'"

Note: Christ responds silencing any arguments and promising a gift of vision into what He wishes for Creation.

Strophe 13: 'O Baptist and wrangler, prepare quickly --- not for an argument, but for ministry; for lo, you will see what I shall bring to pass. So I shall represent for you the pleasing and splendid form of my Church, as I grant to your right hand the power that - after this - I shall furnish abundantly to the hands of My disciples and priests. Clearly, shall I show you the Holy Spirit; I shall cause you to hear the voice of My Father, declaring Me His true Son and proclaiming: "This is He, the unapproachable Light."'

Note: In Strophe 14-18, we see the obedience and awesome act of St. John baptizing Christ.

Strophe 14: "After these awesome words, the son of Zacharias said to the Creator: 'I do not strive against Thee; I do what Thou dost command.' Saying this, he then approached the Saviour; and as a humble servant, he gazed earnestly as he beheld the naked limbs of the One Who commands the clouds to cover the heavens like a cloak. And he again saw - in the middle of the river - the One Who appeared in the midst of the Three Children, the Dew in the fire; and the flaming Fire in the in the Jordan, springing forth as the unapproachable Light."

Strophe 15: "Seeing these marvels, the son of the priest - in his role as a priest - holds out his hand and takes Christ by the hand, as he cries out to the beholders: 'You see in the Jordan the voluntary rain, the torrents of delights, as was written in the Scripture. In the passage of the waters, you see a great sea in the river. Let no one consider me rash. I did not do this as a reckless person, but as a servant; for this is the Lord, and He told me to do this. Hence, I baptize the unapproachable Light.'"

Strophe 16: "He, as God of all, gave strength to me, weak as a mortal, as He said: 'Hold out your hand and I shall give you strength.' For how would I have had the power unless the very thing happened which He said would take place? How would I have had the ability to baptize the Abyss, since I am mortal, if I had not first received and claimed power from on high? For I realize - now that He is standing by me - that I am greater than I was formerly. I am something different, I am changed --- glorified, as I beheld and baptized the unapproachable Light."

Strophe 17: "I no longer speak as I did before, I no longer unlace the thongs of Thy sandals [John 1:27]. For behold, I advance from His feet to His head. I no longer tread on the earth, but Heaven itself; for what I bring to pass is heavenly. Nay, rather, I surpass the Heavens; for they support [Him] but they do not see Whom they support, but I see and baptize Him. Rejoice, O Heaven, and earth proclaim the news [Psalm 95(96):10]. Be blest, springs of water*; for in appearing, He has filled all with blessing. He illumines all men, the unapproachable Light."

* St. Romanos is referring to the Great Blessing of the Waters on January 5th & 6th.

Strophe 18: "At divine command, therefore, the son of Zacharias exalted his spirit; and stretching out his hand, he placed it on the King. He immersed Him in the water, and then led the Lord of earth and of the firmament back to land. From on high, a voice - as though by a finger - pointed him out, crying out: ‘This is My beloved Son.’ To this Father, and to the baptized Son and to His Spirit, I cry: ‘Destroy, O Redeemer, those who oppress my soul. Put an end to my errors, O unapproachable Light.’"