Holy prophet John the Baptist and forerunner of the Lord

How is the icon made?

The icon of the Holy Prophet John the Baptist and the forerunner of the Lord is made of high-quality materials by a master icon painter from the Lazarella school. It is painted on a thick and massive wooden board covered with primer. Gold or silver slag metal is glued onto the halo and background. It is decorated with relief ornaments, reinforced with the colors of gold or silver varak. The icon is painted with high quality Dutch tempera paints. The icon is sealed with a very strong, colorless varnish and illuminated.

Life of the Saint

According to the Gospel, the Holy Prophet John the Baptist (St. John or St. Ivan) led an ascetic life on the banks of the Jordan River, wearing coarse clothes made of camel wool and eating wild honey and locusts. After he turned 30, he began to preach and baptize people. He also gave Holy Baptism to Jesus Christ (Epiphany).

Saint Prophet John the Baptist was punished by beheading by order of Herod Antipas. Judean king Herod tries to seduce his brother Philip’s wife Herodias. John the Baptist witnesses what is happening and addresses him with the reproving words: “You shouldn’t have her!”.

After these words St. John the Forerunner is imprisoned. On his birthday, Herod gives a feast and Herodias’ daughter Salome dances for him. After she finishes her dance, he vows to give her whatever she wants. Salome asks her mother what to wish for, and she answers “The head of John the Baptist”. In order to fulfill the oath, Herod orders John to be beheaded and his head brought to the dancer on a baking tray.

After his head is cut off, Herodias orders that it not be buried with the body, as she fears the resurrection of the terrible prophet. So they buried his head in a secret and unknown place deep in the earth.

Her courtier Joanna, the wife of Huza, could not bear the head of a man of God to remain in this unknown place, and secretly dug it up and took it to Jerusalem, where she buried it in the Mount of Olives. Without knowing this, when King Herod understood that Jesus was performing great miracles, he was afraid and said: This is John, whom I beheaded. He has risen from the dead.

What does it protect and who does it protect?

The icon of Saint John the Baptist:

• helps health
• helps to find the meaning
• helps for joy and happiness
• help those suffering from mental and physical illnesses
• protects home and family from enemies and betrayal
• patronizes godfatherism and brotherhood.

It is believed that fervent prayer before the icon of St. John the Baptist also helps in cases of epilepsy, as well as pain and head injuries.

For what occasions is the icon suitable and when is it noted?

The face of Saint John the Baptist inspires one to pray. This makes the icon with his image the most valuable gift for baptism, wedding or graduation of your Christian friend. The icons of St. John are a suitable gift

• for a name day
• for a birthday
• for a new home
• for a wedding
• for the birth of a child
• for baptism (for christening)
• for office

Saint John the Baptist, the Forerunner of the Lord is the last prophet and forerunner of the Messiah. His feast day is June 24, and the feast for his beheading is August 29. A day of pilgrimage to the Saint is also celebrated on January 7, when St. John’s Day is celebrated.