Kontakion on the Theophany \u2014 the Baptism of Christ (conclusion)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n After these dread words the offspring of Zachary cried to the Creator,
\n\u201cI hesitate no longer, but do what you command me.\u201d
\nHaving said this, he approached the Savior as a slave his lord.
\nHe gazed at him,
\nlooking devoutly at the naked limbs of the one who orders
\nthe clouds to envelop the heavens like a garment,
\nand again he contemplated in the midst of the streams
\nthe one who appeared in the midst of the three youths,
\ndew in the fire and fire in the Jordan
\nshining, gushing,
\nthe unapproachable Light.<\/span><\/p>\nBut, seeing these wonders,<\/em>
\n the son of the priest in the office of a priest<\/em>
\n stretches out his palm and lays his hand on Christ<\/em>
\n as he cries to those who see it, \u201cSee in the Jordan the willing rain.<\/em>
\n Contemplate the torrent of delights, as it is written,<\/em>
\n in the streams of the waters, a great sea in a river.<\/em>
\n Let no one then consider me daring.<\/em>
\n I act, not as foolhardy, but as a servant.<\/em>
\n He is Lord and he told me to do this;<\/em>
\n that is why I am baptizing<\/em>
\n the unapproachable Light.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cI was feeble as a mortal,<\/em>
\n but he as God of all gave me power, crying,<\/em>
\n `Place your hand on me and I will give it strength.\u2019<\/em>
\n For how could I have done it,<\/em>
\n had this not been what he said and what came to pass?<\/em>
\n How would I have had the power to baptize the deep,<\/em>
\n I who am clay,<\/em>
\n had I not first received and accepted power from on high?<\/em>
\n For now, with his standing by me, I sense<\/em>
\n that I am more than I was before.<\/em>
\n I am something else.<\/em>
\n I have been changed, I have been glorified,<\/em>
\n for I am seeing, I am baptizing<\/em>
\n the unapproachable Light.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cI no longer say as before,<\/em>
\n `I may not loose the strap of his sandals,\u2019<\/em>
\n for see, I advance from the feet to the head.<\/em>
\n I tread no longer the earth but heaven itself,<\/em>
\n for what I accomplish is of heaven.<\/em>
\n Rather I have surpassed the things on high, for they carry,<\/em>
\n but do not see whom they carry,<\/em>
\n while I both see and baptize.<\/em>
\n Heaven rejoice and earth be glad,<\/em>
\n springs of waters be hallowed,<\/em>
\n for by appearing he has filled all things with blessing,<\/em>
\n he enlightens all mankind,<\/em>
\n the unapproachable Light.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nAt the divine command, Zachary\u2019s offspring raises<\/em>
\n his mind on high,<\/em>
\n and stretching out his palm places it on the King,<\/em>
\n washes in the streams, then leads back to land the Lord of land and sky,<\/em>
\n whom the One who cried, \u201cThis is my beloved Son\u201d<\/em>
\n pointed out from heaven by a voice as by a finger.<\/em>
\n To the Father himself, then, and to the Son<\/em>
\n who was baptized and to his Spirit I cry,<\/em>
\n \u201cCrush those who afflict my soul;<\/em>
\n end my errors, my Redeemer,<\/em>
\n the unapproachable Light.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n(trans. by Archimandrite Ephrem Lash)<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/_-GKMR8mFGBs\/S0lRtk6KvrI\/AAAAAAAAAJg\/aCAIyqMpzyg\/s1600-h\/Romanus.jpg\")
<\/a>St. Romanus (pictured here)composed over a thousand kontakions and canticles in honor of holidays and saints for the various feast days of Our Savior and the Blessed Virgin Mary, and in honor of many saints. The Church has named him \u201cthe Melodist\u201d and has acclaimed him as the best writer of sacred songs, not only for the wealth of ideas contained in them, but also for their poetry, depth of feeling and sublimity of language. St. Romanus, venerated by both the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Church, is also considered to be the patron saint of church choirs and singers.<\/p>\n