Fast, concise facts and information about Saint John the Baptist
The following provides fast and concise facts and information:
- The patron of Prosperity, Baptism, Conversion and Tailors
- Memorial Day / Feast Day: August 29th
- Date of Death: Saint John the Baptist died in A.D. 31
- Cause of Death: Beheaded
Who or what is Saint John the Baptist the patron saint of?
Saint John the Baptist is the patron of Baptism, Conversion and Tailors. Meanings, definition and origins - a patron is considered to be a defender of a specific group of people or of a nation. There is a patron for virtually every cause, profession or special interest. Prayers are considered more likely to be answered by asking a patron for intercession on their behalf.
The Story and History of Saint John the Baptist
The story and history of Saint John the Baptist. According to the Gospel of Luke John was son of Zachariah and Elizabeth whose birth was foretold by the angel Gabriel to Zachariah. Zachariah was a priest in the temple of Jerusalem. Luke also states that John was born about six months before the birth of his cousin, Jesus of Nazareth. John the Baptist lived as a hermit in the desert of Judea where he lived in poverty wearing a tunic of camel hair tied with a leather belt. In about A.D. 27 he started his ministry preaching repentance and in his own words recorded in the Bible he said, 'I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness" and "Make straight the way of the Lord". At this time he preached on the banks of the Jordan River converting and baptising many people "for the Kingdom of Heaven is close at hand". Jesus joined the multitudes of people flocking to John the Baptist and John recognized Him as the Messiah and baptized Him saying that "It is I who need baptism from You". The power of John the Baptist increased and he was placed under arrest by Herod Antipas (r.4 BC – AD 39) who ruled of Galilee and Perea. John the Baptist preached against and condemned Herod Antipas because he had divorced his first wife in favour of Herodias, who had formerly been married to his brother and therefore had acted contrary to Jewish law. Herod Antipas had John the Baptist imprisoned in chains at Machaerus Fortress on the banks of the Dead Sea. The death of John the Baptist was hastened by Salome who was the daughter of Herodias. Herod Antipas had promised Salome any reward she chose in exchange for her dancing. Salome demanded that the head of John the Baptist was brought to her on a platter. John the Baptist was therefore beheaded .D.31.
Death of Saint John the Baptist
There are two categories of saints: martyrs and confessors. A Christian martyr is regarded as one who is put to death for his Christian faith or convictions. Confessors are people who died natural deaths. Date of Death: Saint John the Baptist died in A.D. 31. Cause of Death: Beheaded.
Why is Saint John the Baptist the patron of Baptism, Conversion and Tailors?
Why is Saint John the Baptist is the patron of Baptism and Conversion? Due to his work converting and baptising people.
How Saint John the Baptist is represented in Christian Art
It is helpful to be able to recognise Saint John the Baptist in paintings, stained glass windows, illuminated manuscripts, architecture and other forms of Christian art. The artistic representations reflect the life or death of saints, or an aspect of life with which the person is most closely associated. Saint John the Baptist is represented in Christian Art in a coat of sheep-skins, in allusion to his life in the wilderness.
Feast Day of Saint John the Baptist
The Feast Day of Saint John the Baptist is August 29th. The origin of Feast Days: most saints have specially designated feast days and are associated with a specific day of the year and these are referred to as the saint's feast day. The feast days first arose from the very early Christian custom of the annual commemoration of martyrs on the dates of their deaths at the same time celebrating their birth into heaven.
