St. John the Baptist

 I debated with myself about the Saint for today. I already had a mention of this Saint in the post on the Lateran Basilica. And everyone already knows his story. However, I always win debates with myself, so I'm going for it.

John the Baptist was a first century prophet. He was the son of Mary's cousin, Elizabeth. Most of what we know about him comes from the Gospel narratives, but he is also mentioned by the Roman Jewish historian Josephus. At about 30 years of age, John began a movement urging repentance and practicing baptism. Some of Jesus' disciples were previously disciples of John. At some time after the baptism of Jesus by John, John was arrested by Herod Antipas. John had rebuked Herod for divorcing his wife and unlawfully marrying the wife of his brother. John was subsequently beheaded for this "crime."

According to Josephus' history, the defeat of Herod's army around 35 AD was considered by some Jews as just punishment for what he did to John. John the Baptist is revered as a major religious figure not only in Christianity, but also in Islam, the Baha'i faith, the Druze faith and Mandaeism. (nope, I had never heard of those last three either) 

In the Catholic liturgical calendar, apart from Jesus and Mary, John is the only Saint whose birth and death are both commemorated. The feast of his birth is celebrated on June 24 and the feast of his death on August 29. Attached is a picture of a statue of St. John adorning the baptistry at St. Mary Major.

St. John the Baptist, pray for us.