Feast of the Beheading of John the Baptist - Celebrated September 11

John the Baptist was born from Elizabeth, the sister of Mary’s mother Anna. His father was Zachariah who, while in the sanctuary of the Temple, he was visited by an angel of the Lord who told him that his wife Elizabeth would conceive a child. Their son would be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah and would prepare the people for the coming of the Lord.

After St. John’s birth, his father Zacharias was murdered in the temple. He and his mother fled to the desert, and he was raised there. He lived as an ascetic from the earliest part of his life. He ate plants and roots and wore rough clothing. When he grew, he baptized people in the Jordan, teaching repentance, but also saying that someone greater would come after him and baptize with the Holy Spirit.

Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.

The prophet of God, John openly denounced Herod for having left his lawful wife, the daughter of the Arabian king Aretas, and then cohabiting with Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip (Luke 3:19-20). On his birthday, Herod made a feast for dignitaries, the elders and a thousand chief citizens. Salome, the daughter of Herod, danced before the guests and charmed Herod. In gratitude to the girl, he swore to give her whatever she would ask, up to half his kingdom.

The vile girl on the advice of her wicked mother Herodias asked that she be given the head of John the Baptist on a platter. Herod became apprehensive, for he feared the wrath of God for the murder of a prophet, whom earlier he had heeded. He also feared the people, who loved the holy Forerunner. But because of the guests and his careless oath, he gave orders to cut off the head of Saint John and to give it to Salome.

What we are celebrating on the day of the feast of the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist is his courage to witness to the Truth, to stand up and say to the king that what he was doing was wrong. We are also celebrating St. John's ascetic lifestyle and his humble nature, from which we can all learn.