The Forerunner
Hand-painted icon of Saint John the Baptist
Last of the prophets and first witness of Christ, John the Baptist is the Forerunner: the one who prepares the way of the Lord and points Him out to the world as «the Lamb of God» (John 1:29). In the Byzantine tradition he is one of the most venerated saints, always beside Christ in the Deesis.
How the Baptist is depicted
- In a garment of camel hair and a mantle, in the desert.
- With wings: the type of the «Angel of the Desert», from Malachi's prophecy «Behold, I send my messenger» (Mal 3:1).
- With a scroll bearing his words: «Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand».
- In the Deesis, turned towards Christ in intercession.
Feasts and patronages
The Church celebrates his Nativity on 24 June and his Beheading on 29 August. He is patron of Florence, Genoa and Turin, and of those named John. His icon is a traditional baptism gift, since it was he who baptised Christ in the Jordan. Like every icon from the atelier, it is fully gilded with 23¾ karat gold, with inscriptions in Greek or Latin, and is commissioned with an offering proportionate to the time and materials of the work.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Saint John the Baptist have wings in icons?
Because tradition applies to him Malachi's prophecy of the «messenger» (Greek angelos) sent to prepare the way of the Lord: the Baptist is the «Angel of the Desert».