Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Series II/Volume XIII/Ephraim the Syrian and Aphrahat/Hymns For the Feast of the Epiphany/Hymn XI

(.&#8212;Let the bodies rejoice which the Evil One had made naked, that in the water they have put on their glory!)

1.&#160; Give thanks, O daughter, that thy crownings have been doubled;&#8212;for lo! thy temples and thy sons rejoice.&#8212;The dedication of thy temples is in the ministration;&#8212;The dedication of thy sons is in the anointing.&#8212;Blessed art thou that at once&#8230;&#8230;&#8212;&#8230;&#8230;the tabernacle for them that dwell in thee,&#8212;and the Spirit has abode upon thy sons!

2.&#160; Our Lord opened up Baptism&#8212;in the midst of Jordan the blessed river.&#8212;The height and the depth rejoiced in Him;&#8212;He brings forth the first fruits of His peace from the water,&#8212;for they are first fruits, the fruits of Baptism.&#8212;The good God in His compassion will bring to pass&#8212;that His peace shall be first fruits on earth.

3.&#160; Moses stretched out the temporal Tabernacle;&#8212;the priests bathed themselves in water,&#8212;and went in and ministered; and were stricken and punished,&#8212;because their heart within was not cleansed.&#8212;Blessed art thou that in the Passover of the great Passion,&#8212;the priests by the savour of their oblations,&#8212;lo! are cleansing souls in thee!

4.&#160; Great was the mystery that the Prophet saw,&#8212;the torrent that was mighty.&#8212;Into its depths he gazed and beheld&#8212;thy beauty instead of himself; thee it was he saw, for thy faith passes not away,&#8212;thou whose flood unseen shall overwhelm&#8212;the subtleties of idolatry.

5.&#160; Though John was great among them that are born of women,&#8212;yet he that is little is greater than he,&#8212;in this that his baptized were again baptized,&#8212;in the baptism that was of the Apostles.&#8212;Blessed art thou that thy priest is greater than he&#8212;in this alone that forever&#8212;abides his baptism.

6.&#160; The baptism that was of Siloam&#8212;did not bring mercy to the man that was laid there&#8212;who for thirty and eight years awaited it,&#8212;for he was a respecter of the persons of the Levites.&#8212;Blessed art thou that thy healing is in thee for all men,&#8212;and thy priests are devoted and ready&#8212;for all that are in need of thy help.

7.&#160; The Prophet healed the waters that were unwholesome,&#8212;and cured the disease of the land that was barren,&#8212;so that its death was done away and its region resounded, for its offspring increased and its bosom was filled.&#8212;Greater is Thy grace, Lord, than Elisha&#8217;s!&#8212;Multiply my lambs and my flocks&#8212;at the great stream of my fountain! 8.&#160; Great is the marvel that is within thy abode;&#8212;the flocks together with the Shepherds,&#8212;those at the stream of the waters,&#8212;two unseen with one manifest who baptizes.&#8212;Blessed is he who is baptized in their fountains!&#8212;for three arms have upheld him,&#8212;and three Names have preserved him!