His Holiness celebrated the Holy Liturgy at Virgin Mary Parish in Paramus, New Jersey, in the presence of Rev. Fr. Gabriel Alkass and V. Rev. Fr. Aziz Hadodo. The service was graced by a spirit of faith and reflection, as the congregation gathered to mark the sacred Feast of the Epiphany (Denho).
His Holiness began by extending warm wishes for a healthy and prosperous New Year to all. He then reflected on the significance of Epiphany, explaining its meaning as “the appearance” in Syriac (Shemsho Donah, “the sun rising and appearing”). This holy day commemorates the manifestation of the Holy Trinity during the baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Jordan River. In his sermon, His Holiness recounted the story of St. John the Baptist, emphasizing his divine mission to prepare the way for the Messiah. John’s baptism, he explained, was a baptism of repentance, meant to ready the hearts of the people for the coming of Christ. His Holiness reminded the faithful that salvation does not come through water alone but through the ultimate sacrifice of our Lord on the cross. Through baptism, Christians die with Christ and are raised with Him, receiving the gift of eternal life.
Highlighting the humility of St. John the Baptist, His Holiness noted that John never sought personal glory but directed everyone to follow Christ. Despite his influence and the admiration of the crowds, John remained steadfast in his calling, declaring in John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” His Holiness encouraged the congregation to emulate this humility, remembering their identity as children of God and servants of His divine will. In concluding his sermon, His Holiness reflected on the transformative power of baptism. Through this sacred act, believers are reborn, not of flesh, but of the Holy Spirit and the living water. Baptism unites us to the blood of Christ, granting us eternal life and making us a new creation in Him. His Holiness called on the faithful to live out their baptismal vows by being distinct from the world, bearing witness to the light of Christ. The service concluded with blessings and prayers, as the faithful left with a renewed sense of devotion and the call to live in the grace and humility of Christ.
