The Beheading of St John the Forerunner

Dear Parish Faithful,

"Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." (MATT. 11:11)

Today, August 29, we commemorate the Beheading of St. John the Forerunner and Baptist. There is an entire cycle of liturgical commemorations dedicated to St. John as there is of the Theotokos. We celebrate his Conception (September 23); his Nativity (June 24); his role in the Baptism of the Lord (January 7); and again, today, his martyr's death at the hands of King Herod. His violent death, of course, foretold the death of Christ on the Cross, for anyone who spoke the Truth was liable to condemnation.  

This article provides a good overview of the details of his beheading as told in the Gospels of Sts. Matthew and Mark.

August 29 is always a strict fast day in honor of St. John.