Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Feast Day of the Commemoration of the Beheading of the Holy and Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John, Divine Liturgy

Feast Day of Commemoration of the Beheading of the Holy and Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John Divine Liturgy at 10.00am

Visitors are welcome to join the Parishioners for the service.

The commemoration of the beheading of John the Baptist is observed with the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom which is conducted in the morning and preceded by a Matins (Orthros) service.

Scripture readings for the commemoration are the following: At the Matins: Matthew 14:1-13.  At the Divine Liturgy:  Acts 13:25-33; Mark 6:14-30. (If the feast falls on a Sunday the Gospel readings may vary.)

The day is also commemorated with a strict fast no matter what day of the week it may be.

Apolytikion (Second Tone)

The memory of the just is celebrated with hymns of praise, but the Lord's testimony is sufficient for you, O Forerunner; for you have proved to be truly even more venerable than the Prophets, since you were granted to baptize in the running waters Him Whom they proclaimed. Wherefore, having contested for the truth, you rejoiced to announce the good tidings even to those in Hades: that God has appeared in the flesh, taking away the sin of the world and granting us great mercy.

Kontakion (Plagal of the First Tone)

The glorious beheading of the Forerunner was a certain divine dispensation, that the coming of the Savior might also be preached to those in Hades.  Let Herodias lament, then, that she demanded a wicked murder; for she loved not the Law of God, nor eternal life, but one false and fleeting.

http://www.goarch.org/special/beheading_saint_john_the_baptist/index_html