Conception of John the Baptist

Conception of the Holy Forerunner John the Baptist.

On September 23 the Church commemorates the conception of St. John the Forerunner. As the priest Zacharias served in the Temple, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to him at the altar of incense, announcing that his prayer was heard and that his wife Elizabeth, barren and advanced in years, would bear a son who would go before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah. Because Zacharias doubted, he was left mute until the child was born.

The feast celebrates the power of God who overcomes barrenness and prepares His forerunner, and it opens the cycle of feasts of the Baptist that runs through the church year.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Conception of John the Baptist is commemorated on September 23. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on October 6 of the civil calendar.

Also commemorated on September 23

• Xanthippe and Polyxene

  Holy Woman, Ξανθίππη και Πολυξένη

  Venerable Xanthippe and Polyxene, sisters of Spain, disciples of the Apostles.

  Name days: Xanthippe, Xanthippi, Polyxene, Polyxeni, Polyxenia, Polixeni, Xanthi

• Rais of Alexandria

  Holy Woman, Ραΐς

  Holy Virgin Martyr Rais of Alexandria.

  Name days: Rais, Irais

• Nicholas the Grocer of Karpenisi

  Martyr, Νικόλαος ο Παντοπώλης

  New Martyr Nicholas the grocer of Karpenisi, martyred in Constantinople.

• Andrew, John, Peter and Antony of Syracuse

  Martyr, Ανδρέας, Ιωάννης, Πέτρος και Αντώνιος

  Holy Martyrs Andrew and John, and John's sons Peter and Antony, of Syracuse, martyred in Africa.

• John the New Martyr of Konitsa

  Martyr, Ιωάννης ο εξ Αγαρηνών

  New Martyr John of Konitsa, convert from Islam, martyred at Vrachori.

Icon: public domain image from Wikimedia Commons.