Synaxis of St John the Baptist
About Synaxis of the Forerunner →
Saints commemorated
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New Martyr Athanasius of Attalia (1700)
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Our Venerable Father Cedd, Bishop of Essex and Abbot of Lastingham (664)
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John the Forerunner
John the Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord — son of the priest Zachariah and the righteous Elizabeth, kinsman of Christ, desert ascetic, preacher of repentance at the Jordan, and the one found worthy to baptize the incarnate God — is honoured by the Orthodox Church above every saint except the Theotokos. The Lord himself pronounced the verdict the Church repeats: "among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater." Last and greatest of the prophets, he pointed to the Lamb of God with his finger, rebuked a king, was beheaded for righteousness' sake, and — the tradition sings — went as forerunner even to those in Hades. His cycle of six fixed feasts, from his Conception (September 23) to the Findings of his Head, structures the whole liturgical year, and every Tuesday of the week is dedicated to him.
British Isles and Ireland
- St. Brannock of Braunton (6th C)
- St. Cronan Beg, bishop of Aendrum (7th C)
- St. Kentigerna, mother of St. Foellan (734)
Troparia & kontakia
Apolytikion
When thou wast baptized in the Jordan, O Lord, the worship of the Trinity was made manifest; for the voice of the Father bore witness to thee, naming thee his beloved Son, and the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the sureness of the word. O Christ our God, who hast appeared and enlightened the world, glory to thee.
Kontakion — Tone 6
Dreading thy bodily presence, the Jordan turned back in trembling; and John, fulfilling his spiritual ministry, drew back in fear. The ranks of the angels were struck with wonder, beholding thee baptized in the flesh amid the streams; and all that were in darkness were flooded with light, hymning thee who hast appeared and enlightened all things.
Kontakion — Tone 1
Zachariah the great rejoiceth with splendour, with Elizabeth his all-glorious yokefellow, for she hath worthily conceived John the Forerunner, whom the Archangel announced with rejoicing, and whom we men honour as is due, an initiate of the grace of God.
Stichera
Thy hand which touched the most pure head of the Master, and with which thou didst point him out to us with thy finger — lift it up on our behalf, O Baptist, since thou hast great boldness before him; for by him thou hast been witnessed to be greater than all the prophets. And thine eyes again, which beheld the all-holy Spirit descending in the form of a dove — raise them up to him, O Baptist, and make him merciful to us; and come, stand with us, sealing our praise.
Troparion — Tone 4
The memory of the righteous is kept with praises; but for thee, O Forerunner, the witness of the Lord sufficeth. For thou wast shown to be truly more honourable than the prophets, in that thou wast counted worthy to baptize in the streams the One whom thou didst proclaim. Therefore, having contended for the truth, thou didst rejoice to bring the good tidings even to those in Hades: that God was made manifest in the flesh, taking away the sin of the world and granting us great mercy.
Troparion — Tone 4
Rejoice, O barren one, that hadst not borne until now: for behold, thou hast conceived the lamp of the Sun, who is to enlighten all the world, that lay sick with blindness. Dance, O Zachariah, and cry out with boldness: the one to be born is the Prophet of the Most High.
Readings
Epistle
Acts 19.1-8 (Forerunner)
1And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. 4Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. 7And all the men were about twelve. 8And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.
Hebrews 7.18-25
18For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. 19For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. 20And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: 21(For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:) 22By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. 23And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: 24But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 25Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Gospel
John 1.29-34 (Forerunner)
29The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. 30This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. 31And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. 32And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. 33And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. 34And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
Luke 21.37-22.8
37And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives. 38And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him. 1Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover. 2And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people. 3Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. 4And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. 5And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. 6And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude. 7Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. 8And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat.