Shop

Saint John the Baptist was the son of the priest Zacharias and Elizabeth. He was named Forerunner because by his word he prepared the way of Jesus Christ and Baptist because he baptized Christians in the Jordan River. She was a relative of Christ and lived an ascetic life in the desert. He preached the Word of God with passion and criticized the immorality and Pharisaism of the time. In fact, he did not hesitate to harshly criticize the ruler of Judea, Herod Antipas, who had an illicit relationship with Herodias, his brother's husband. Saint John was imprisoned for his action by Herod Antipas and at the urging of Salome, daughter of Herodias, his beheading was ordered. The Forerunner was buried in the city of Sevasti and the Holy Hand of the Baptist was transported to Constantinople where it was placed in the imperial palaces. The memory of the last and greatest prophet of the Old Testament is honored by the Orthodox Christian Church on January 7 of each year.