Prophet · 1st century
John the Forerunner
The Holy Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John
New Calendar June 24 Old Calendar July 7
Why they are a saint
John the Forerunner was the last prophet of the Old Covenant and baptizer of Christ. He preached repentance in the wilderness and was beheaded by Herod Antipas. The years given for this life are 1st century. His memory is kept with the other Old Testament righteous whom the Church venerates as saints.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Patron of monastics, chastity, repentance, because he lived the monastic life of prayer and asceticism.
Prayer
O holy John the Forerunner, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.