St. Seraphim Orthodox Church · Fr. Lawrence Margitich

January 4th, 2026: Sunday before Theophany - Fr Daniel York

January 7, 2026·16 min·1 clip

Fr Daniel York reveals how John the Baptist is to Theophany what the Theotokos is to Christmas.

The episode is a sermon by Fr Daniel York from St. Seraphim Orthodox Church, delivered on January 4th, 2026, for the Sunday before Theophany. It begins by framing Theophany as the beginning of the gospel in St. Mark, paralleling Christmas in St. Matthew. John the Baptist is central, described as embodying and perfecting all Old Testament prophets, with Fr York noting that St. Mark integrates texts from Exodus, Malachi, and Isaiah to depict John. John is shown as part of the heavenly divine council, often iconographically depicted with angelic wings. His appearance and diet—wearing a hairy mantle and leather belt like Elijah, and eating wild honey and locusts—are explained as symbols of his consecration to God, with wild honey recalling manna and locusts indicating a bloodless, fasting life. The sermon highlights that all of Judah and Jerusalem came to John for personal confession and baptism, emphasizing his profound impact. Despite this, John's ministry points away from himself, with Fr York quoting his declaration of unworthiness compared to Christ. Theophany is presented as fulfilling Christmas, with Christ drawing near to those who, like John, have emptied themselves for God. Fr York poses reflective questions about whether listeners could sit in silence with God in the wilderness, linking this to spiritual preparation. He references Saint Seraphim's teaching on acquiring the Holy Spirit and a story about Saint Anthony to illustrate attracting others through inner Christ-like life. The sermon connects Theophany to Genesis, where the Holy Spirit hovers over waters, and to baptism, where the Spirit rests on believers to empower repentance. It concludes with a call to renew baptismal vows and repentance in the new year, aiming for Christ to be formed in listeners so they can shine for others.

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