At that time, the great prophet of God John came out of the wilderness where he had lived before, and went about all the region around the Jordan River, urging:

- Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matthew 3:2), I am the voice crying out in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord (cf. John 1:23), I baptize you with water for repentance, but after me comes one who is mightier than I, I am not worthy to bend down, untie the straps of his sandals and carry them after him. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Matthew 3:11-12).

When everyone was baptized by John, Jesus came with them. And John restrained Him, and said, I must be baptized by Thee, and dost Thou come to me? But Jesus answered and said to him, "Leave it now, for thus it behooves us to fulfill all righteousness." Then John admits Him. And having been baptized, Jesus immediately came up out of the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and John saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and descending upon Him. And behold, a voice from heaven saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:14-17).

After Baptism, Jesus fasted for forty days and nights in the wilderness, where Satan approached Him, trying to tempt Him, but departed empty-handed, as if defeated.

And John the Baptist said to his disciples about Jesus:

"Behold the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world... I did not know Him, but for this reason I was sent to baptize in water, so that He might be revealed to Israel. I have seen the Spirit come down from heaven like a dove and dwell upon Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize said, "On whom you see the Spirit descending and abiding upon Him, that is he who baptizes with the Holy Ghost." And I testified that this is the Son of God (John 1:29-34).

After this, his disciples followed Jesus. Later, Christ chose twelve of His disciples, whom He called apostles (messengers), and sent them to preach. The Lord gave them the power to cast out unclean spirits, heal the sick, and raise the dead.

Three days later, a wedding was held in Cana of Galilee, and Christ was invited together with his disciples. And then the owners ran out of wine. The Virgin Mary asked Jesus to help them so that they would not disgrace themselves in front of the guests. Then Jesus directed that the six water pots used for ritual ablutions be filled to the brim with water. The servants did so, and the water turned into wine. Thus Jesus performed the first miracle and showed His glory.

The feast of Easter was approaching. Jesus Christ came to the Temple and found a booming trade. There they sold oxen, sheep and changed money. Then Christ scattered the money of the money-changers, overturned their tables, drove the sellers out, and commanded them to remove the pigeons: "Take these things from here, and do not make My Father's house a house of trade" (John 14:2).

Going through the cities and villages, He preached to the people, saying:

Blessed are the poor in spirit (the humble), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they that hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.