St. John the Forerunner
St. John the Forerunner, son of the priest Zechariah and the righteous Elizabeth, was the last and greatest of the prophets, whom the Lord Himself called the greatest born of women.
He preached repentance in the wilderness of Judea, baptized Christ in the Jordan River, and pointed his own disciples to Jesus as the Lamb of God. For rebuking Herod Antipas over his unlawful marriage, he was imprisoned and beheaded around the year 30. His nativity, six months before that of Christ, is celebrated on June 24, and the Church honors him above all saints after the Theotokos.
Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
He must increase, but I must decrease.
I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Bear fruits worthy of repentance.
He who has two coats, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.
It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.
Troparion of the Nativity of St. John the Forerunner
Prophet and Forerunner of the coming of Christ, although we cannot praise you worthily, we honor you in love at your nativity, for by it you ended your father's silence and your mother's barrenness, proclaiming to the world the incarnation of the Son of God!
Kontakion of the Nativity of St. John the Forerunner
Today the formerly barren woman gives birth to Christ's Forerunner, who is the fulfillment of every prophecy; for in the Jordan, when he laid his hand on the One foretold by the prophets, he was revealed as Prophet, Herald, and Forerunner of God the Word.
Saints around June 24
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