June 24 is the feast of St John the Baptist. Ever since the date of Christmas was established as December 25, the Church has celebrated the birthday of John in Midsummer, since, working from the Gospel of Luke, the Virgin Mary’s cousin Elizabeth was six months pregnant when the Archangel appeared to Mary. These were the only two earthly birthdays kept by Christians; later the Nativity of the Virgin became the third. Every other saint’s day was marked on the anniversary of his or her death – or birth into eternal life.
7:00 AM
The stolen head of St John the Baptist
Acquired during the Fourth Crusade and preserved through revolution, the relic venerated at Amiens Cathedral is among the most extraordinary survivals of the medieval Christian world
Melanie McDonagh
5 min read
Already a subscriber? Sign in
5freearticles every month
Continue reading with a free account. No card needed.
- Five free articles every thirty days, on any device you sign in on
- The Catholic Herald newsletter, every morning
- Subscribe whenever you like for everything: every article and the magazine
subscribe to the catholic herald today
Our best content is exclusively available to our subscribers. Subscribe today and gain instant access to expert analysis, in-depth articles, and thought-provoking insights—anytime, anywhere. Don’t miss out on the conversations that matter most.
Subscribe
