Today is the Beheading of John the Baptist: What You Must Do on This Day
29 August 04:10
Today, August 29, is the Day of Remembrance for Ukraine’s Fallen Defenders, marking the anniversary of the 2014 Ilovaisk tragedy. Around the world, people are observing the International Day Against Nuclear Tests. Believers are honoring the memory and martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist, whose head was severed, according to "Komersant Ukrainian"
History of the Holiday
John the Baptist was a great prophet who foretold the coming of the Messiah and baptized Jesus Christ in the Jordan River. He denounced people’s sins and was not afraid to speak about them publicly. The king married Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, while his brother was still alive. John denounced this, for which Herodias ordered her husband to kill the prophet.
Although Herod considered John a great prophet, heeded his words, and feared the wrath of the people, he nevertheless yielded to his wife and had the Forerunner thrown into prison. However, Herodias believed that mere imprisonment was not enough punishment for John, as she was deeply embittered toward him for his public condemnation.
During the celebration of Herod’s birthday, Herodias’s daughter, Salome, performed a dance that so pleased the king that he promised to grant her any wish. Under pressure from her mother, Salome asked for the head of John the Baptist on a platter. Herod, not wanting to go back on his word, ordered that this horrific request be carried out. Thus, John the Baptist met a martyr’s death.
Traditions of the Feast
On August 29, Christians observe a strict fast as an expression of mourning.
On this day, they do not eat meat, fish, or dairy products, and they abstain from alcohol to remind themselves of the consequences of passion and intemperance.
Today, the Church prohibits any work and heavy physical labor.
On this major church holiday, believers are encouraged to spend time with their families and attend church.
In prayers to John the Baptist, people ask for healing from illnesses, especially headaches, and seek repentance, patience, and humility. They also pray for the well-being of their families, protection from enemies, and deliverance from sinful thoughts and harmful habits; parents ask for help in raising their children, and single people pray to meet their future spouse.
What to Do on August 29
- On this day, it’s good to go to church, or you can pray at home;
- You should engage in charitable deeds, such as helping loved ones and strangers, or giving alms. It is believed that if a stray animal comes to you on the day commemorating John the Baptist, you must take it in;
- Observe fasting; eat your meals quietly and modestly, and prepare simple dishes;
- Break bread with your hands to avoid using knives or sharp objects.
Folk Customs and Taboos
Throughout this day, one should not cut anything that resembles a head, such as round bread or a watermelon—so food was usually broken by hand.
Our ancestors also believed that eating borscht on this day was a grave sin—perhaps because it contains chopped cabbage and beets, which are round vegetables, or because borscht resembles blood in color.
It was also forbidden to serve food on a large round platter, and people generally ate modestly, mostly bread and water; sometimes they boiled or baked potatoes in their skins so as not to cut them.
