Beheading of St. John the Baptist

Beheading of St. John the Baptist

August 29th is the commemoration of the beheading of St. John the Baptist according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church. Mor Yuhannon Mam'dono, son of Zacharias the priest, known as the forerunner of Christ was martyred by the order of King Herod. When St. John rebuked Herod because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Phillip whom he had taken as a wife, he said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." (Mark:6:18) Herod seized the Saint & cast him into prison; however, he feared John. An opportune day came when Herod, on his birthday, gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers & the chief men of Galilee. Herodias' daughter herself came in & danced, pleasing Herod. He promised her anything she might ask for, even as much as half of his kingdom. She went to her mother saying, "What shall I ask?" Her mother replied, "Ask for the head of John the Baptist on a platter." When Herod heard this, he was exceedingly sorry. But because of his promise & those who were sitting with him, he did not want to refuse her request. He therefore commanded his servants to cut off the head of Mor Yuhannon & they gave it to the damsel who gave it to her mother. (Mark 6:20-28) Mor Yuhannon's mortal remains are entombed in Sebaste. Syrian tradition states the head of St. John the Baptist is in the Basilica of Saint John the Baptist in Damascus Syria. After the rise of the Umayyad Dynasty, this church was converted into a mosque. However, the shrine housing his remains was kept intact. Today, Umayyad Mosque or Great Mosque of Damascus (Ğām' Banī 'Umayya al-Kabīr) continues to be a pilgrim site for both Christians and also Muslims (to whom he is known as prophet Yaha). Oh Mor Yuhannon Mam'dono! Plead for us before God's throne of grace. Amen. Evening: St. Matthew 10: 16-33 Morning: St. Luke 12: 1-12 Before Holy Qurbana: Genesis 4: 3-12 Daniel 3: 14 -30 Holy Qurbana: Acts 23 : 11 - 25 Romans 8: 31- 39 St. Mark 8:34-38, 13 : 9 - 13