The Beheading of St. John the Baptist

The Decollation of Saint John the Baptist

Martyrdom

King Herod had imprisoned Our Lord’s cousin John because of the saint’s zealous denunciation of Herod’s adulterous marriage to his brother’s wife Herodias. The queen hated John far more than did the king, who remained fascinated by John’s preaching. When Herodias’s daughter danced shamelessly before Herod and his men at the king’s birthday dinner, Herod promised any favor the girl wished in return. Herodias told her daughter to ask for John’s head, and the wicked girl herself added the order that it be brought on a platter. Herod was shocked, but fulfilled his foolish oath. According to St. Jerome, the cruel Herodias was still not content, and continued to stab at the saint’s tongue with a needle or small dagger. This feast commemorating John’s martyrdom has always deferred in prominence to the feast of the Forerunner’s Nativity on June 24th, and the day is tinged with less joy than even the usual feast of a martyr, because John did not proceed directly to heaven at his death. Nonetheless, the Beheading, or Decollation, of St. John is among the oldest and most widely celebrated feast days known to the Church, as befitting the Precursor of Christ and the man of whom Our Lord Himself said that none greater was ever born of woman.

Traditional Roman Martyrology for August 29th

THE beheading of St. John the Baptist, who was put to death by Herod about the feast of Easter. However, the solemn commemoration takes place today, when his venerable head was found for the second time. It was afterwards solemnly carried to Rome, where it is kept in the church of St. Silvester, near Campo Marzio, and honored by the people with the greatest devotion.

At Rome, on Mount Aventine, the birthday of St. Sabina, martyr. Under the emperor Adrian, she was struck with the sword, and thus obtained the palm of martyrdom.

Also, at Rome, St. Candida, virgin and martyr, whose body was transferred to the church of St. Praxedes by pope Paschal I.

At Antioch, in Syria, the birthday of the holy martyrs Nica3as and Paul.

At Constantinople, the holy martyrs Hypatius, an Asiatic bishop, and Andrew, a priest, who for the worship of holy images, under Leo the Isaurian, after having their beards besmirched with pitch and set on fire, and the skin of their heads torn off, were beheaded.

At Perugia, St. Euthymius, a Roman, who fled from the persecution of Diocletian with his wife and his son Crescentius, and there rested in the Lord.

At Metz, St. Adelphus, bishop and confessor.

At Paris the demise of St. Merry, priest.

In England, St. Sebbi, king.

At Smyrna, the birthday of St. Basilla.

In the vicinity of Troyes, St. Sabina, a virgin, celebrated for virtues and miracles.

℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.

℟. Thanks be to God.