Saint John the Baptist

St. John the Baptist is one of the greatest or perhaps the greatest among the saints in the Christian world. This has been confirmed by no less a person than Christ, who said, "Among them  that are born of women, there has no risen one greater than John the Baptist."

Though John the Baptist was a kinsman of Jesus who lived during Jesus' time, John led an extremely austere life style. Clothed in camel hair with a leather belt around his waist  and for food ate locusts and wild honey  and went about preaching.  He said, "There comes one after me who is mightier than I whose sandal straps I am not worthy to stoop and loose." (Mark 1 : 7)

When he was asked by the people who he was, he said, "I am the voice of one crying  in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord. As foretold by the prophet hundred of years ago." ( John 1: 23) Very outspoken, John never hesitated to speak out and defend what he felt was right. He had even chided King Herod Antipas for his life style.

John's mother Elizabeth who was advanced in age but barren and her husband  Zechariah had prayed to God for a child. One day, while Zechariah was at prayer, the Angel Gabriel appeared to him to convey good tidings of joy, that his wife had conceived and shall bear a son and his name shall be John. Marry who was also, at the time with child visited Elizabeth, who lived in the hill country of Judea. When Elizabeth saw Mary and heard her salutation, the baby in her womb is said to have lept for joy. Elizabeth thereafter filled with the Holy Spirit cried out, "Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb and whence is that mother of my Lord should come to me." (Luke 1: 43). Mary replied, "My soul magnifies in the Lord and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour." (Luke 1 : 46-51)

After John grew up into maturity, he began to preach, calling all to repent and shun evil. He had also the privilege of baptising Christ in the River Jordan.  Like Christ, John was a much misunderstood person. 

The nativity of Saint John the Baptist is celebrated by the Church on June 24.