BIRTH OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST: “GIVING LIGHT TO THOSE WHO SIT IN DARKNESS…”

Saturday, January 15, the Armenian Church commemorates the Feast of the Birth of St. John the Baptist (also known as St. John the Forerunner). The elderly couple Zechariah and Elizabeth welcomed with great joy the birth of their son who they named John just as the angel Gabriel had instructed. Neighbors and relatives, who had gathered to celebrate the birth of this special child, pondered about his future asking, “What then will this child become?”

Having been told by the angel that he would become mute, Zechariah, filled with the Holy Spirit, spoke his prophecy:  “And you, child will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins. By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:76-79)

Hasten to our help from on high, Saint John, apostle and prophet and forerunner and baptizer of the Son of God and intercede for us before Christ. O Saint John, self-devoted priest, offer our supplications to Christ the High Priest who was crucified on the cross that he may grant forgiveness to us who celebrate your memory. O Saint John, intercede to Christ for us. ”

(Canon for the Nativity of John the Baptist according to the Liturgical Canons of the Armenian Church)