On Sunday, January 4, 2926, His Eminence Mor Dionysius John Kawak celebrated the Holy Liturgy, assisted by Rev. Fr. Alan Shaltan, on the feast of the Epiphany (Denḥo) at St. Jacob of Urhoy Syriac Orthodox Church in Orlando, Florida.
In his sermon, Archbishop Kawak reflected on the Epiphany as the manifestation of Christ’s divine light and mission, revealed openly at the Jordan River. He spoke about St. John the Baptist, not only as the Forerunner who prepared the way for the Lord, but also as a fearless witness to the truth. His Eminence emphasized that John’s life did not end at the Jordan; it was sealed by martyrdom. By confronting Herod with righteousness and refusing to compromise the truth, John accepted imprisonment, suffering, and ultimately beheading, offering his life as a testimony to faithfulness to God.
His Eminence concluded by linking the witness of St. John the Baptist with that of St. Stephen, the first martyr, reminding the faithful that the light revealed at Epiphany calls every baptized Christian to courage, integrity, and readiness to bear witness to Christ in word and in life, even amid suffering.
