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S. Joannes Baptista
St. John the Baptist, Joannes
Baptista in Latin, was the son of a priest of the Temple of Jerusalem,
Zachary and his wife Elizabeth kinswoman of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Angel Gabriel
had announced to Mary the birth of John who was
born to Elizabeth in her old age. For much of his early life he
lived as a hermit in the desert of Judea. By the time he was thirty
he began preaching along the Jordan river and called all to repent of
their sins. He baptized many of those in the large crowds he attracted.
While baptizing Jesus he said, "It is I who need baptism from
You".
John continued to preach in the Jordan Valley after Jesus
left for Galilee. Herod, the ruler of Perea and Galilee at the
time feared that John was becoming too powerful and so had him
imprisoned. While in prison John condemned Herod for his adulterous marriage
to his half brother's wife, Herodias. Herod ultimately had John
beheaded at the request of Salome, daughter of Herodias.
St. John the Baptist's feast day is
June 24th.
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