Nativity of John the Baptist among Western Christians (24/06)

On June 24, the Catholic Church celebrates the solemn holiday — Nativity of John the Baptist, which is established in remembrance of the events associated with the birth of John the Baptist, which are described in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 1:24-25, 57-68, 76, 80).

According to the teachings of Judaism, before the coming of the Messiah, his predecessor — of the forerunner must appear, who, in accordance with the prophecy of Malachi (Mal. 4:5), is considered the prophet Elijah.

In Christianity, the doctrine of the Messiah — Jesus Christ — is associated with the image of the prophet John the Baptist, who resumed and continued the ministry of Elijah. As the Gospel tells us, Jesus himself called John « Elijah, to whom must come» (Matt. 11:14).

When John was thirty years old, he began preaching in the Judean Desert and then in the vicinity of the Jordan River. He severely denounced the vices of society and called for repentance, announcing the imminent coming of the Messiah.

His appearance also matched Elijah's descriptions of his appearance: he wore clothes made of camel hair, belted with a leather belt, and his food was locusts and wild honey (Mk. 1:10-16).

John's preaching was so strong that soon disciples began to gather around him, founding a community of his followers, the — Qumranites. John chose baptism as an external sign of repentance and spiritual renewal — ablution in water and immersion in it (hence the name — Baptist).

Jesus also came to be baptized, whose dignity as the Messiah John announced in his sermon (Matt. 3: 14-15). Thus, John the Baptist paved the way for the ministry and teaching of Jesus Christ.

The tradition of glorifying John the Baptist on his birthdays and martyrdom developed in the first Christian communities. Since the 3rd century, the Feast of the Nativity of John the Baptist has already been widely celebrated by both Eastern and Western Christians — it was called the «bright celebration» and the «day of the Sun of Truth». At the beginning of the 4th century, the holiday was introduced into the Christian calendar.

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