Beheading of John the Baptist

Beheading of the Holy Glorious Prophet and Forerunner John the Baptist.

The Church commemorates on August 29 the martyric death of St. John the Forerunner. Imprisoned by Herod Antipas for rebuking his unlawful union with Herodias, John was beheaded at the request of Herodias, made through her daughter, whose dancing had pleased Herod at his birthday feast. Thus the greatest of the prophets sealed his preaching of repentance with his blood.

The day is kept as a strict fast, in sorrow for the deed and in honor of the Forerunner. The faithful remember him as the friend of the Bridegroom, who according to the hymns of the Church preached the coming of Christ even to those in Hades.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Beheading of John the Baptist is commemorated on August 29. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on September 11 of the civil calendar.

Who celebrates a name day

People with these names keep their name day on this feast:

Ioannis, Giannis, Yiannis, John

Also commemorated on August 29

• Theodora of Thessaloniki

  Holy Woman, Θεοδώρα η εν Θεσσαλονίκη

  Venerable Theodora of Thessaloniki, myrrh-streaming nun.

• Arkadios of Arsinoe

  Hierarch, Αρκάδιος Αρσινόης

  Saint Arkadios the Wonderworker, Bishop of Arsinoe in Cyprus.

• Basil the Macedonian

  Saint, Βασίλειος ο Μακεδών

  Righteous Basil the Macedonian, Emperor of the Romans.

• Joseph the Sanctified of Samakos

  Venerable, Ιωσήφ ο Ηγιασμένος

  Venerable Joseph the Sanctified of Samakos in Crete, remembered on the placing of his relics.

Icon: public domain image from Wikimedia Commons.