On Friday 5th January 2024, St. Thomas Indian Orthodox Church Liverpool celebrated the Feast of Epiphany (Denaha Perunnal). Denaha, meaning “dawn” or “sunrise” in Syriac, beautifully captures the essence of this holy day, commemorating the baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ in the River Jordan by John the Baptist.
For Malankara Orthodox Christians, Denaha Perunnal holds immense significance, marking not just the baptism of Jesus but also the manifestation of the Holy Trinity to the world. On this day, God the Father’s voice proclaims Jesus as His beloved Son, while the Holy Spirit descends upon Him in the form of a dove. This momentous event unveils the divine nature of Jesus and the beginning of His earthly ministry.
The service led by Rev. Fr. Happy Jacob featured the reading of scriptures recounting the baptism of Jesus, prayers of thanksgiving, and hymns that extol the glory of the Holy Trinity followed by the Holy Qurbana.
