KULTURA: ECCE AGNUS DEI: Remembering the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist

The image of St. John the Baptist in a carroza and being surrounded by dancers ("mananamayaw) during the celebration of the Memorial of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist as the parish grounds (patio).

The Memorial of St. John the Baptist

     The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist (also known as: Decollation of Saint John the Baptist or Beheading of the Forerunner) is considered as a holy day observed by the Catholic Church and also by other Christian denominations of the Orthodox rite. This day commemorates the martyrdom or the beheading of Saint John the Baptist, which was ordered by the Judaean tetrarch Herod Antipas through the vengeful request of his begrudged daughter Salome. This request was brought by John exposing Herod's marriage to Herodias, who was the wife of Phlip, Herod's brother. The story is mentioned in the Gospel according to Mark (6: 17 – 29) which is the one proclaimed during the said celebration. Not all of us know the story behind the said happening, but it is important to know the lesson from it which would allow us to change ourselves into knowing how to become a faithful Christian.

     In the Roman Catholic Church, the story is often retold with the moral lesson of code of honor versus arrogance precipitated by the tyrannical abuse of power which we think everyone should have learned, this is one of the most tragic deaths of a saint and it also demonstrates a lot of lessons so we really should remember this day. In addition, various speculations regarding the motive of Salome are cited, namely her lewd dancing as a means of revenge and harlotry. Added to this is the cruel intentions of Salome's mother Herodias in her plot to kill a prophet of truth for the sake of her own interest.

Remembering the Beheading of St. John the Baptist

The image of St. John the Baptist which is being used
during processions on the celebration of the Memorial
of the saint's beheading on August 29.

    On August 29, 2012, it is not just the world that commemorates this event but our own parish in Hagonoy, the Parish of St. John the Baptist in San Juan. This occasion was celebrated by various groups and organizations from the parish. This is the second feast for the parish patron who has his primary feast on the 24^th of June which his the solemnity of his birth. The triduum masses began on the 26th until the 28^th of August at 6:45 in the morning. The feast day celebration then began by a grand procession with solemnity and praise. Even this event was supposed to have a novena, but the schedule was delayed due to the devastation brought by the unexpected calamity. Yet despite this, the devotees to the dear parish patron were unstoppable and everyone raised their hands and gave thanks to the Lord for all the answered prayers during the floods.

The sanctuary of the Parish of St. John the Baptist wherein the wooden relief of the saint during the Baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan is depicted. Here the parishoners are getting ready for the celebration.

     The liturgical commemoration of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist is almost as old as the commemoration his nativity, which is one of the oldest celebrations, if not the oldest introduced into both the Eastern and Western liturgies to honor a saint. So as St. John mentioned again in the Gospel according to Mark: “ECCE AGNUS DEI” (BEHOLD the LAMB of GOD”). This is why we should remember St. John the Baptist – because he became a prophet of the Almighty Father for true repentance and faith. Let us behold the Lord because we know of the coming of the Messiah and we should thank St. John the Baptist for preparing the world that our Lord will be walking through, and being a good example of a true and faithful Son of God.

Pictures of the Procession:

Photo Courtesy: Gabriel S. Sebastian (Parish of St. John the Baptist)