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Featured icon written by Anca Costenco.

In the Orthodox Church, it is a common practice to observe the day after a major feast in commemoration of the saint who made the feast possible. On the day after Christmas we have the Synaxis of the Most Holy Theotokos, and on January 7/20, the day after Theophany, we commemorate the glorious Prophet and Forerunner St. John the Baptist. Chosen before his birth as the herald and forerunner of the Messiah, St. John plays a crucial role in the history of salvation. His ministry and purpose was to “go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:17). Keep reading for resources and ideas for learning about the life and legacy of St. John the Forerunner in your little church.

Education

• John the Baptist, Forerunner of Christ from St. John Orthodox Church
• The Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John from The Whole Counsel of God
• Synaxis of the Holy Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John from the Orthodox Church in America
• The Greatest Born of Woman: St. John the Baptist from Speaking the Truth in Love (audio)
• The Witness of John the Baptist as an Example for Us All from OCN
• The Life of St. John the Baptist in Iconography from A Reader’s Guide to Orthodox Icons
• Why does John the Baptist have wings in Orthodox icons? from A Reader’s Guide to Orthodox Icons
• Hymnography for Synaxis of St. John the Forerunner from the OCA

Activities 

• St. John the Baptist Journal Worksheet from Orthodox Education 
• Locust & Honey Crescent Rolls from Ascetic Life of Motherhood
• St. John Festal Learning Basket from Charming the Birds from the Trees
• Holy Theophany Activities from Orthodox Pebbles
• Theophany Activities from Dr. Pat’s Orthodox Super Sunday School

Books

• Saint John the Forerunner: Prophet, Apostle, and Martyr from Newrome Press
• Saint John the Forerunner from Potamitis Publishing
• Saint John the Forerunner: His Life in Coloring Icons from Potatmitis Publishing
• The Great Feasts printable coloring book from Draw Near Designs
• Putting on Christ Theophany Study Journal from Family Chotki
• 101 Orthodox Saints by Sarah Wright & Alexandra Schmalzbach

Icons

• Life of St. John the Baptist from Legacy Icons
• St. John the Baptist from the Catalogue of St. Elisabeth
• St. John the Baptist from Uncut Mountain Supply
• St. John the Baptist from Legacy Icons
• Theophany from Legacy Icons 
• Baptism of the Lord from Uncut Mountain Supply

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