The Nativity of John the Baptist is approaching: the date in 2025, a brief biography of the Baptist

Orthodox believers in Russia celebrate a big and important holiday — the Nativity of John the Baptist, one of the most revered saints in Christianity after Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary. The second name of the holiday is the Nativity of John the Baptist. Catholics and Orthodox Christians celebrate this day differently. This is not only because of the difference in the calendar, but also because of the age-old differences in the customs of the two branches of the Christian faith. The history and traditions of the Christian holiday are in the material of Izvestia.

The Nativity of John the Baptist: the history and date of the holiday

John the Baptist is the most revered saint in Christianity after Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary, and the word "Christmas" in the names of Orthodox holidays is used only in relation to these saints. The birth of the Forerunner is written only in one of the four Gospels, according to Luke.

John was born into a God-abiding family living in the time of King Herod. According to the records, the child was a relative of Jesus on his mother's side.

For many years, the Jewish priest Zachariah and his wife could not have children, which was considered a great grief in their environment. Already in old age, when there was almost no hope left, the archangel Gabriel appeared to Zachariah. A heavenly messenger announced to him the great news: he and his wife would have a son, destined to be a joy for the people of Israel. Zachariah doubted what he had heard, and for this he lost the ability to speak — until, on the eighth day after the birth of the baby, the moment came to give him a name. Only then did the priest find his voice again.

When do the Orthodox celebrate the Nativity of John the Baptist in 2025

The feast of the Nativity of John the Baptist in the Catholic tradition is accompanied by large—scale celebrations and an official day off in most Western countries - it is celebrated on June 24. In the Orthodox Church, this day is also considered important, but it is celebrated more restrainedly, on July 7, exactly six months before Christmas.

John the Baptist: a brief biography

Seven feasts have been established in honor of John the Baptist, more than in memory of any other saint. In the 11th chapter of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus' words about him are quoted: "Verily I say unto you, of them that are born of women, there hath not risen greater than John the Baptist." Literally, "forerunner" means "the one who flows before" or "the pioneer." He is considered a great prophet who told people about the imminent coming of Jesus Christ.

John the Baptist came from a noble family, his father Zachariah, like all priests, was considered a descendant of Aaron, the brother of the prophet Moses, and Elizabeth's mother's roots go back to the family of King David.

Little is known about John the Baptist before his preaching in the desert. At the age of 30, the Forerunner came to the Jordan River, where Jews traditionally performed religious ablutions, and began to speak to the people about repentance and baptism for the remission of sins, as well as baptizing people in the waters of the river.

It was John the Baptist who had the honor to baptize Jesus Christ. He wore rough camel-skin clothes, ate honey from wild bees, and was in prayer all the time. Denying himself comfort, the saint did not demand this from others. John called on people who came to listen to his sermon to morally correct their lives — to repent.

Reproduction of the painting by Jacopo Tintoretto "The Birth of John the Baptist" from the collection of the State Hermitage Museum

Photo: RIA Novosti

The execution of the Forerunner is directly linked to his sermons, he was famous as a strict and uncompromising denouncer of other people's sins. John criticized all those who could not cope with temptations and led a sinful lifestyle. Among those denounced was the ruler of these places, King Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great, who divorced his wife and began living with his brother's wife, Herodias.

John the Baptist boldly denounced the sin of the ruler, for which he was imprisoned. However, Herod did not execute the prophet, because he was afraid of popular outrage and the wrath of the Lord.

After a while, John was executed, a tragic event connected with a feast in honor of Herod. According to legend, Salome, the daughter of Herodias, played a key role in his death. As a reward for the beautiful dance, she got the opportunity to choose what she wanted and wanted to receive the Baptist's head on a platter. John the Baptist was executed during a feast, and the story of the Baptist and Salome became a popular subject for the most famous Renaissance painters.

The Nativity of John the Baptist: traditions and customs of the holiday

As on all Orthodox holidays, believers gather for divine services in temples and churches in honor of the Nativity of John the Baptist. In the evening before the holiday, a large service is held in churches — an all-night vigil. Christians stay up all night and offer prayers to John the Baptist. The Orthodox Church categorically excludes all funeral and memorial prayers from services on this day.

In their prayers to John, believers ask for the admonition of sinners and the help of prisoners. The worshippers ask the saint to grant them the opportunity to see their own sins and to introduce the unbaptized to the faith. The Prophet John has been held in high esteem among peasants and beekeepers since ancient times, so the Forerunner is also asked for help in agricultural matters.

A believer places a rosary on the relics of the Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord John

Photo: RIA Novosti/Alexander Galperin

On the Nativity of John the Baptist, believers are forbidden to eat eggs, meat and dairy products. Preference should be given to fish and red wine. One of the key prohibitions of the holiday is the use of a knife. According to legend, the use of a sharp household object will transfer the sins of John's murderers to the believer. For the same reason, many people avoid eating red foods all day.