Thursday, August 29, 2024

Beheading of Saint John the Baptist

The phrase **"In Decollatione S. Joannis Baptistæ"** refers to the **Beheading of Saint John the Baptist**. This event is commemorated in the Christian liturgical calendar, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church, on **August 29th** each year. The term "decollatione" is derived from Latin, meaning "beheading" or "decapitation." Saint John the Baptist is a significant figure in Christianity, known for baptizing Jesus Christ and his role as a prophet. The beheading of Saint John the Baptist is a solemn event remembered for his martyrdom.

Saint John the Baptist is a significant figure in Christianity, known for his role as a prophet and for baptizing Jesus Christ. Here are some key points about him:

- **Birth and Family**: John the Baptist was born in the 1st decade BCE in Judaea, Palestine, near Jerusalem. His parents were Zechariah, a priest, and Elizabeth, who was a relative of the Virgin Mary.

- **Role and Mission**: John the Baptist is revered as the forerunner of Jesus Christ. He preached about the imminence of God's Final Judgment and baptized those who repented in preparation for it. He is also known as Saint John the Forerunner in Eastern Orthodoxy and John the Immerser in some Baptist Christian traditions.

- **Baptism of Jesus**: John baptized Jesus in the Jordan River, marking the beginning of Jesus' public ministry.

- **Martyrdom**: John the Baptist was sentenced to death and subsequently beheaded by Herod Antipas around 28-36 CE. This was after John rebuked Herod for divorcing his wife and unlawfully marrying Herodias, the wife of his brother.

- **Feast Days**: The Roman Catholic Church commemorates the Nativity of John the Baptist on June 24 and his Beheading on August 29.

- **Patronage**: John the Baptist is invoked as the patron saint of baptism, monastics, hermits, converts, tailors, prisoners, and many other occupations and causes.

John the Baptist is a revered figure not only in Christianity but also in Islam, where he is known as Prophet Yahya. His life and mission have had a profound impact on religious history and traditions.

(1) St. John the Baptist | Biography, Patron Saint, Facts, Feast Day .... https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-John-the-Baptist.

(2) John the Baptist - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist.

(3) . https://bing.com/search?q=Saint+John+the+Baptist.

(4) St John Baptist Church. https://sjbc.org/.

(5) Who Was John the Baptist of the Bible? - Learn Religions. https://www.learnreligions.com/john-the-baptist-117707.

Saint Januarius, Bishop, and his Companions, Martyrs

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