Synaxis of the Holy Prophet & Forerunner John
“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and
said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John
1:29)
Although he baptized Jesus, in the Orthodox Church
John is usually referred to as the “Forerunner” because his role was to
“announce” the Messiah’s arrival. Much like someone who introduces a starring
act, John wasn’t on center stage for very long. In fact, his ministry may have
proceeded Jesus’ by only a couple of years. Yet in that short time, John
managed to make a name for himself, gather disciples, call the Hebrews to
repentance through baptism, and prepare Israel for the coming of the Christ.
Like Jesus, John also had a unique birth with an
angelic introduction. Born into a priestly family John was probably expected to
follow in his father’s footsteps as a temple priest, yet he chose to follow a
much greater calling, that of prophet and a preacher: “a voice crying in the
wilderness” calling the people to make ready for the Messiah.
His message resonated with the people because he
looked and sounded like a prophet, in a day when prophets were little more than
nostalgic characters from Jewish history. John urged everyone to repent,
regardless of their conviction, rank, or position. He even had the courage to
speak out and chastise Herod Antipas when he sinned by stealing his brother’s
wife (Leviticus 18:16). This, then, led to his ultimate beheading but also to
his place in the life of the Church and position in Heaven.
O Holy Prophet and Forerunner John, pray unto God for
us!
Fr.
John
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