From now on, on 29 August (previously 11 September), Orthodox and Greek Catholics in Ukraine celebrate the day of the Beheading of the Holy Prophet John the Baptist, Komersant ukrainskyi
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The full name of this important Christian holiday is the Beheading of the Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John.
History of the holiday
John the Baptist was a great prophet who foretold the coming of the Messiah and baptised Jesus Christ in the Jordan River. He exposed people’s sins and was not afraid to speak out publicly about them. The king married his brother Philip’s wife Herodias while his brother was still alive. John exposed this, and Herodias had her husband killed.
Although Herod considered John to be a great prophet, listened to his words, and was afraid of the people’s anger, he pleased his wife and had the Forerunner imprisoned. However, Herodias believed that mere imprisonment was not enough to punish John, for she was very angry with him for his public condemnation.
During the celebration of Herod’s birthday, Herodias’ daughter Solomia performed a dance that pleased the king so much that he promised to grant her every wish. Under pressure from her mother, Solomia asked for John the Baptist’s head on a tray. Herod, unwilling to break his word, ordered that this terrible request be fulfilled. Thus John the Baptist was martyred.
Traditions of the holiday
on 29 August, Christians observe a strict fast as an expression of grief.
On this day, they do not eat meat, fish and dairy products, and abstain from alcohol to remind themselves of the consequences of passion and intemperance.
Today the church prohibits any work and hard physical labour.
On this great church holiday, believers are encouraged to spend time with their families and go to church.
What to do on 29 August
- on this day, it is good to go to church or you can pray at home;
- you need to do God-pleasing things, for example, help loved ones and strangers, give alms. It is believed that if a stray animal comes to you on the day of the memory of John the Baptist, you should take it in;
- keep a fast, have your meals quietly and modestly and cook simple meals;
- break bread with your hands so as not to use knives and sharp objects.
Folk customs and prohibitions
During this day, you should not cut anything that resembles a head, such as round bread or watermelon, so food was usually broken by hand.
Our ancestors also believed that it was a great sin to eat borshch on this day, perhaps because cabbage and beetroot are cut into it, which are round vegetables, or because the colour of borshch is similar to blood.
It was also forbidden to serve food on a large round dish, and in general, people ate modestly, mostly bread and water, sometimes boiling or baking potatoes in their skins so as not to cut them.