He is the last of the Old Testament Prophets, and the first of the martyrs for Christ.
He is often seen depicted in the icon of Christ going down to Hades to gather the souls of the righteous departed, since he died before the Resurrection of Christ.
Christ stated that there was no man born of woman who was greater than John the Baptist.
There are three conceptions commemorated on the Orthodox Calendar: Christ's conception at the Annunciation, The Theotokos's conception by St. Anna on December 8, and the Conception of St. John the Baptist.
There are many humorous quips surrounding these feasts, but the story of the findings are quite miraculous, and St. John is a great wonderworker.
Ping for the third finding of the head of St. John the Baptist...
Re: the headline...John the Baptist had three heads?
His Death is particularly poignant too, in that, even Herod understood that he was no ordinary man, and that his death occurred because Herod's wife (like so many of us) don't like it when we hear the truth about ourselves. We don't like to be rebuked, it gives rise to a need to avenge it.
I admire so many Saints, but I don't always feel that human connection with them, when I read about them or read what they wrote. I'm not sure why that is, but that's no so with St. John the Baptist. There's much affection in my spirit for him. There is for St. Ephraim (sp?) too, because I so love his prayer.
August 29, 2007
Beheading of John the Baptist
The drunken oath of a king with a shallow sense of honor, a seductive dance and the hateful heart of a queen combined to bring about the martyrdom of John the Baptist. The greatest of prophets suffered the fate of so many Old Testament prophets before him: rejection and martyrdom. The voice crying in the desert did not hesitate to accuse the guilty, did not hesitate to speak the truth. But why? What possesses a man that he would give up his very life?
This great religious reformer was sent by God to prepare the people for the Messiah. His vocation was one of selfless giving. The only power that he claimed was the Spirit of Yahweh. I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire (Matthew 3:11). Scripture tells us that many people followed John looking to him for hope, perhaps in anticipation of some great messianic power. John never allowed himself the false honor of receiving these people for his own glory. He knew his calling was one of preparation. When the time came, he led his disciples to Jesus: The next day John was there again with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, Behold, the Lamb of God. The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus (John 1:35-37). It is John the Baptist who has pointed the way to Christ. Johns life and death were a giving over of self for God and other people. His simple style of life was one of complete detachment from earthly possessions. His heart was centered on God and the call that he heard from the Spirit of God speaking to his heart. Confident of Gods grace, he had the courage to speak words of condemnation or repentance, of salvation. Quote:
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August 29, 2007
Beheading of John the Baptist
The drunken oath of a king with a shallow sense of honor, a seductive dance and the hateful heart of a queen combined to bring about the martyrdom of John the Baptist. The greatest of prophets suffered the fate of so many Old Testament prophets before him: rejection and martyrdom. The voice crying in the desert did not hesitate to accuse the guilty, did not hesitate to speak the truth. But why? What possesses a man that he would give up his very life?
This great religious reformer was sent by God to prepare the people for the Messiah. His vocation was one of selfless giving. The only power that he claimed was the Spirit of Yahweh. I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire (Matthew 3:11). Scripture tells us that many people followed John looking to him for hope, perhaps in anticipation of some great messianic power. John never allowed himself the false honor of receiving these people for his own glory. He knew his calling was one of preparation. When the time came, he led his disciples to Jesus: The next day John was there again with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, Behold, the Lamb of God. The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus (John 1:35-37). It is John the Baptist who has pointed the way to Christ. Johns life and death were a giving over of self for God and other people. His simple style of life was one of complete detachment from earthly possessions. His heart was centered on God and the call that he heard from the Spirit of God speaking to his heart. Confident of Gods grace, he had the courage to speak words of condemnation or repentance, of salvation. Quote:
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“....and the first of the martyrs for Christ.”
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And what about the children that were murdered in Bethlehem by order of Herod the Great just after Jesus’ birth?