Yekatit 30 — March 09

The Finding of the Head of Saint John the Baptist

Today we remember a happy day when something very precious was found again. Saint John the Baptist was the brave man who told everyone that Jesus was coming. He was the one who baptized Jesus in the river, washing Him in the water as a sign that he belonged to God.

Long ago, a king named Herod did wrong things, and John bravely told him the truth. Herod was angry, and John lost his life because he would not stop loving God and speaking the truth. But God took care of John's holy head. People kept it safe and gave it great honor.

After many, many years, the head was hidden away and almost forgotten. Then two poor men who loved God very much went to the holy city of Jerusalem to pray during the Holy Fast, the special time when we go without some food to help us pray and think about God. They had little money, but they were rich in faith.

While they slept, Saint John came to one of them in a dream. He gently told the man his name and showed him exactly where his holy head was hidden. In the morning the man told his friend, and together they went to the place. There they found a special jar. When they opened it, a sweet smell floated up to them, like the loveliest perfume. Inside was the holy head of Saint John, just as the dream had promised.

The men were filled with joy. They carried the holy head home, kept a little lamp burning beside it, and honored it with love. From friend to friend the holy head was passed along and cared for. Later, a kind church leader named Abba Anianus also saw Saint John in a dream and found the holy head again. This is why we celebrate today: a treasure that was lost was found, and God's faithful friend John is still loved and honored.

When they opened the jar, a sweet and beautiful smell, like the loveliest perfume, floated up to them — and there was the holy head of Saint John.

Salutation to thy head, O Saint John.

Another Story Saint John Chrysostom Tells

A wise teacher named John Chrysostom told this story a little differently. His name, Chrysostom (say it: KRIH-sos-tom), means "the Mouth of Gold," because his words were so good and beautiful, like gold.

He said that even after Saint John the Baptist lost his life, God did not let him be silent. Saint John kept saying the truth he had always said: that it was not right for the king to do the wrong things he was doing. God showed everyone that the truth cannot be stopped, not even by a powerful king.

Many years later, God led two good and faithful brothers to the very place where Saint John's holy head was resting. These brothers loved God and prayed with all their hearts. Just as in the first story, Saint John came to them and told them to take up his holy head and care for it.

The brothers were so glad. They lifted up the holy head, carried it carefully to their home, and gave it great honor. Both stories teach us the same thing: God remembers His friends and never forgets them, even after a long, long time. When we are brave for God and speak the truth like Saint John, God holds us close forever.