Feast of the Holy Forerunner and Baptist John.
On the day after Theophany, the Church gathers to honor St. John the Forerunner and Baptist, the greatest of the prophets, who was found worthy to baptize the Lord in the Jordan. Son of the priest Zacharias and the righteous Elizabeth, John lived in the wilderness in fasting and prayer, preaching repentance and preparing the way of the Lord.
Christ Himself said that among those born of women none had arisen greater than John. He completed his witness as a martyr, beheaded by Herod for rebuking his unlawful marriage. This Synaxis on January 7 is one of the most celebrated name days in the Greek world.
Feast day
On the New Calendar, John the Baptist is commemorated on January 7. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on January 20 of the civil calendar.
Who celebrates a name day
People with these names keep their name day on this feast:
Ioannis, Giannis, Yiannis, Yannis, Yanni, Giovanni, John, Jean, Juan, Ivan, Vanya, Yianni, Gianni, Giannakis, Prodromos, Johnny, Ioanna, Gianna, Yianna, Giannoula, Joanna, Joanne, Joan
Also commemorated on January 7
Athanasios of Attaleia
Martyr, Αθανάσιος εξ Ατταλείας
New Martyr Athanasios of Attaleia, martyred in Smyrna.
Icon: public domain image from Wikimedia Commons.
The calendar, on your phone each morning
Today’s saints, whether it is a fast day, and the people in your contacts who have a name day. Free, with no ads.
