THE MAUSOLEUM OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST IN DAMASCUS, SYRIA AND THE UNIQUE MIRACLE PERFORMED AT THAT SITE

THE MAUSOLEUM OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST IN DAMASCUS, SYRIA AND THE UNIQUE MIRACLE PERFORMED AT THAT SITE

            In a book written by Father Daniel Gouvali, page 144, we find the following historical account of Saint John the Baptist: In Damascus, Syria there is a magnificent Monastic Church of Saint John the Forerunner built by the Emperor Justinian.  When the Arabs conquered the area in the 8^th century, the Church was turned into a mosque.  It was named the Mosque of the Hamadians in 995 AD.  In the interior of this huge Church was a large beautifully carved mausoleum of Saint John the Baptist.  It is the resting place of the precious head of Saint John the Baptist. 

            Following the fourth discovery of the blessed head of Saint John the Baptist, the relic was enshrined in a beautiful coffin in this Church in Damascus.  When the Muslims converted the Church into a mosque they also messed around with the coffin of Saint John in the process.  When this happened, the Muslims were startled at what happened next.  The Muslims apparently used a pick ax to open the mausoleum. With the first blow of the pick ax on the coffin, warm blood started to flow from the skull of Saint John the Baptist.  It continued to flow for many days and it would not stop.  In a panic, the Arabs asked the Orthodox Patriarch of Damascus to read prayers over the relic.  The Patriarch along with all the priests of Damascus had a three-day vigil at the coffin when on the third day the blood flow stopped.  Today there is a special Arab inscription in gold on the mausoleum which describes the shocking events that took place on that day with the skull of Saint John the Baptist.  To this very day, the Muslims honor, respect and fear the tomb of Saint John the Baptist.  No one dares approach the shrine. 

GLORIFIED IS THE NAME OF JESUS THROUGH THE MARTYRDOM

OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST

ΔΟΞΑ ΤΟ ΟΝΟΜΑ ΤΟΥ ΙΗΣΟΥ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ ΕΝ ΟΝΟΜΑΤΙ

ΤΟΥ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΜΑΡΤΥΡΟΣ ΑΓΙΟΥ ΙΩΑΝΝΟΥ ΤΟΥ ΒΑΠΙΣΤΟΥ

May Jesus save Syria through the intercessions of thousands of martyred Christians who have proclaimed the saving message of Jesus Christ through their sacrifices.

TRANSLATED FROM THE GREEK BY:

+Fr. Constantine (Charles) J. Simones, Waterford, CT, USA, January 16, 2014. cjsimones300@gmail.com,