The commemoration of the beheading of the Holy and Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John was celebrated by the Patriarchate on Wednesday, September 11, 2019.
The Feast took place at the Holy Monastery of St. John the Baptist on the West Bank by the baptism site of the river Jordan, which has been renovated by the funding of the former Hegoumen of Sarantarion Mount memorable Archimandrite Gerasimos, with the care of the Master of Ceremonies Archimandrite Bartholomew.
On this day the Church commemorates the mission of the Prophet and Baptist John as a Forerunner, for the repentance of the people and their turning to the “One who took upon Himself the sins of the world”, our Lord Jesus Christ, and his unjust, homicidal beheading by Herod, as he was being accused of the adultery he committed with Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife.
For this sacred commemoration, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated in this Monastery by its Hegoumen the Master of Ceremonies Archimandrite Bartholomew, with co-celebrants Archimandrite Philoumenos, Hegumen of the Holy Monastery of Prophet Elisha, and Hieromonk Onuphrios, at the chanting of Archimandrites; Ignatios, Meletios and Chrysostom and Monks of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The service was attended by faithful Christians from Jericho and Jerusalem.
After the Divine Liturgy, the Hegoumen Archimandrite Bartholomew offered a refreshing reception to those who honoured St. John, asking his intercessions.
In honour of the sacred commemoration of the Beheading of St. John, the Divine Liturgy was also celebrated at his Holy Church in Sebastia of Samaria, the place of his imprisonment, led by the Hegumen of the Holy Monastery of St. Jacob’s well and founder of the marvellous Church of St. Foteini the Samaritan woman, Archimandrite Ioustinos, with the attendance of noble faithful Christians.
SOURCE: Patriarchate of Jerusalem
