Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Beheading of the Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John

A homily on this day entitled "The Second Greatest Human Act of Atrocity: the Beheading of St. John the Baptist" from the podcast The Arena.



Troparion of St. John the Baptist, Tone 2

The memory of the just is celebrated with hymns of praise but the Lord's testimony is enough for thee, O Forerunner, for thou wast shown to be more wonderful than the Prophets since thou wast granted to baptize in the running waters Him Whom thou didst proclaim. Then having endured great suffering for the Truth, Thou didst rejoice to bring, even to those in hell the good tidings that God Who had appeared in the flesh takes away the sin of the world and grants us the great mercy.

Kontakion of St. John the Baptist, Tone 5

The beheading of the glorious Forerunner was a divine dispensation that the coming of the Savior might be preached to those in hell. Lament then, Herodias, that thou didst demand a murder despising the law of God and eternal life.

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