Making the Invisible Visible: Timket and the Baptism of Our Lord

Jul 26

3 min read

The spiritual beauty and teaching within K. Haile Maskel’s Ethiopian Orthodox painting

Artwork and spiritual teaching by K. Haile Maskel | Konjo Arts

Framed Timket painting by K. Haile Maskel showing the Baptism of Our Lord, Saint John the Baptist, two angels and the Holy Trinity. — Timket – The Baptism of Our Lord, K. Haile Maskel, 2023. © K. Haile Maskel and Konjo Arts.

One of the most compelling qualities of K. Haile Maskel’s art—and of Ethiopian Orthodox Christian iconography—is the way it makes invisible spiritual realities visible..

These paintings do not attempt to present biblical events like photographs. Instead, they use expressive figures, symbolic colours and carefully chosen details to communicate the spiritual meaning of each sacred event. This makes the stories and teachings of the Bible easier to understand, embrace, and remember, even for young children.

The Baptism of Our Lord

In K. Haile Maskel’s painting of the Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the whole composition draws our attention to the revelation of the Holy Trinity.

This sacred event is celebrated in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church during Timket, the Ethiopian feast of Epiphany, which commemorates the Baptism of Christ in the River Jordan.

Epiphany means revelation or manifestation, referring to the revelation of the mystery of Kidus Selassie—the Holy Trinity.

Our Lord stands in the water, symbolising the liberation of Adam and Eve—and through them all humanity—from bondage to sin and the devil. In the spiritual teaching expressed through this painting, Christ enters the River Jordan and tears up the bond that held mankind captive, opening the way to salvation.

This is reflected in Psalm 114:

“The sea looked and fled, the Jordan turned back; the mountains leaped like rams, the hills like lambs.”—Psalm 114:3–4

The Jordan turning back can be understood as creation recognising its Creator and the power of Christ reversing humanity’s fall.

Through His Baptism, Our Lord also reveals baptism as the way of spiritual rebirth and entry into the Kingdom of God. As He says in John 3:3:

“Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”—John 3:3

Detail of K. Haile Maskel’s Timket painting showing God the Father, the Holy Spirit as a dove, Our Lord Jesus Christ in the River Jordan and Saint John the Baptist.

The Revelation of Kidus Selassie

At the Baptism of Our Lord, the mystery of Kidus Selassie—the Holy Trinity—was revealed: the Father spoke from heaven, the Son stood in the River Jordan, and the Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove.

Through this arrangement, K. Haile Maskel’s painting makes the invisible mystery of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit visible to us.

This mystery is also expressed through Holy Baptism in the Orthodox Church. A person is baptised in the name of Ab, Wold and Menfes Kidus—the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

The Baptism of Our Lord therefore reveals not only the Holy Trinity, but also the order of salvation given to mankind through baptism.

The Rejoicing Angels

The two angels beside Our Lord are not simply observing the event. They hold His garment, ready to receive Him as He comes out of the water.

Their facial expressions are especially important. From the way they look towards Our Lord, we can see that they are pleased and rejoicing at what is taking place. Their expressions communicate the heavenly joy surrounding the Baptism of Christ and invite the viewer to share in their wonder.

This is one of the distinctive qualities of K. Haile Maskel’s art. The figures do not need to be painted like realistic portraits to communicate meaning. Through their eyes, gestures, colours and expressions, they help us understand both the spiritual importance and the emotion of the biblical event.

Making the Invisible Visible

K. Haile Maskel’s painting helps us understand why Timket is a celebration of revelation.

In the artwork, we see the Father speaking from heaven, the Son standing in the Jordan, and the Holy Spirit descending in the form of a dove. We also see Saint John the Baptist carrying out the baptism, and the angels rejoicing as they hold Our Lord’s garment.

The painting transforms profound Orthodox teaching into an image that can be understood, embraced, and remembered by both adults and children.

This is the spiritual beauty of K. Haile Maskel’s art: it helps us not only to read about the sacred event, but also to see it, feel it, and remember it.