Conception of the Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John (Oct. 6/Sept. 23)

Commemorating the Conception of the Glorious Prophet, Forunner and Baptist John (Oct. 6/Sept. 23)

The Synaxarion:
Today in the Holy Orthodox Church we commemorate the conception of the honorable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John. On this day the mercy, miracles and wisdom of God are celebrated: His mercy toward the devout and righteous parents of St. John, the aged Zacharias and Elizabeth, who all their lives had wished for and begged a child from God; His miracle, that of John’s conception in the aged womb of Elizabeth; and His wisdom, in the dispensation of man’s salvation. God had an especially great intention for John: namely, that he be the Prophet and Forerunner of Christ the Lord, the Savior of the world. Through His angels, God announced the births of Isaac to the childless Sarah, Samson to the childless wife of Manoah, and John the Forerunner to the childless Zacharias and Elizabeth. All of these were those for whom He had special intentions, and He foretold their birth through His angels.

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You came forth, O Baptist, as an Angel from a barren womb.
You dwelt in the desert from your very swaddling clothes;
you were shown forth as the seal of all the Prophets,
for you were made worthy to baptize in the Jordan
the One Whom they saw in various ways and foretold in figures.
You heard the voice of the Father come from heaven
bearing witness to Christ’s Sonship;
you saw the Spirit in the form of a dove
draw down the voice upon the One baptized.
Since you are greater than all the Prophets,
do not cease to intercede for us who celebrate your memory in faith! (from Menaion)