Icon with Saint John the Baptist – embroidered, framed, 21x27cm
Saint John the Forerunner (in Hebrew יוחנן, Yoḥanan, meaning "God is gracious") is considered by all Christians to be the greatest among prophets, embodying the spiritual life.
His life itself serves as a model for all Christians: he lived in fasting and prayer, defended righteousness at all costs, advocated for fidelity and loyalty in marriage (Matthew 14:3-4), showed mercy to the poor (Luke 3:11), preached obedience to God's Law, and cleansing from all sins.
Saint John, the herald and baptizer of Jesus of Nazareth, was testified by the Lord Jesus Himself as the greatest among all born of women (Matthew 11:11; Luke 7:28), the first among prophets and the prophet of the Most High (Luke 1:76).
The baptism he practiced was a baptism of repentance, meant to lead to the forgiveness of sins, as testified by the Gospels. He urged people to repent: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near!" and those who confessed their sins were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
John the Baptist recognized Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, who was before him, whom he made known, and who would baptize with the Holy Spirit, as told in the Gospel of John.
At the same time, he was a voice preparing the way of the Lord, as the Gospels assure us, turning people to innocence ("turning the hearts of the parents to their children") and wisdom ("and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous").
In the Gospel of Luke, it is recounted that during the time of Herod Antipas, the angel Gabriel appeared to the righteous Zechariah, a priest advanced in years, while he was serving in the Temple in Jerusalem, announcing to him that his prayer had been heard: his wife Elizabeth, who was barren and advanced in years, from the priestly clan, was to bear a son to whom the name John was to be given.
John the Baptist is known and remembered for the holiness in which he lived his life. When he reached adulthood, he went into the wilderness, eating only locusts and wild honey. As a sign of repentance, he wore a garment made of camel's hair and as a symbol of humility, he wore a leather belt around his waist.
John the Baptist met his end, decapitated at the request of Herodias, in revenge for the severe criticism he had brought upon her and Emperor Herod Antipas.
