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June 24: The Nativity of the Venerable and Glorious
Prophet and Forerunner John the Baptist
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| Icon of the Nativity of
Saint John The Forerunner provided by Athanasios Clark and used
with permission. |
Background of the feasts
He that was greater than all who are born of women, the Prophet
who received God's testimony that he surpassed all the Prophets,
was born of the aged and barren Elizabeth (Luke 1:7) and filled
all his kinsmen, and those that lived round about, with gladness
and wonder. But even more wondrous was that which followed on the
eighth day when he was circumcised, that is, the day on which a
male child receives his name. Those present called him Zacharias,
the name of his father. But the mother said, "Not so, but he
shall be called John." Since the child's father was unable
to speak, he was asked, by means of a sign, to indicate the child's
name. He then asked for a tablet and wrote, "His name is John."
And immediately Zacharias' mouth was opened, his tongue was loosed
from its silence of nine months, and filled with the Holy Spirit,
he blessed the God of Israel, Who had fulfilled the promises made
to their fathers, and had visited them that were sitting in darkness
and the shadow of death, and had sent to them the light of salvation.
Zacharias prophesied concerning the child also, saying that he would
be a Prophet of the Most High and Forerunner of Jesus Christ. And
the child John, who was filled with grace, grew and waxed strong
in the Spirit; and he was in the wilderness until the day of his
showing to Israel (Luke 1:57-80). His name is a variation of the
Hebrew "Johanan," which means "Yahweh is gracious."
Orthodox Christian Celebration of the Feast of the Nativity of Saint
John the Baptist
The feast and commemoration of the Nativity
of Saint John the Baptist is celebrated with the Divine Liturgy
of Saint John Chrysostom which is conducted on the morning of the
feast and preceded by a Orthros service. A Great Vespers may be
conducted on the evening before the day of the Feast. On this day,
the Orthodox Church also commemorates the mother of Saint John the
Baptist, Elizabeth.
Scripture readings for the feast of the Nativity of John the Baptist
are: At the Vespers Genesis 17:15-19, 18:11-15; 21:1-3; Judges 13:2-21;
Isaiah 40:1-5, 9; 41:17-18; 45:8; 48:20-21; 54:1. At the Orthros
(Matins): Luke 1:24-25, 57-68, 76, 80. At the Divine Liturgy: Romans
13:11-14:4; Luke
1:1-25, 57-68, 76, 80.
Hymns of the Feast
Apolytikion: Fourth Tone
O Prophet and Forerunner of the presence of Christ, we who
fervently honor you cannot worthily praise you. For by your revered
and glorious birth the barrenness of your mother and the muteness
of your father were unbound, and the incarnation of the Son of God
is proclaimed to the world.
Kontakion: Third Tone
She that once was barren doth today bring forth Christ's
Forerunner, John, the culmination and the crown of all the Prophets.
For when he, in River Jordan, laid his hand on Him Whom the Prophets
preached aforetime, he was revealed as God the Word's fore-chosen
Prophet, His mighty preacher, and His Forerunner in grace.
Reading courtesy of Holy Transfiguration
Monastery, Brookline, MA
Apolytikion courtesy of Narthex
Press, Northridge, CA
Kontakion courtesy of Holy
Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA
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