Description

This finely painted icon of John the Forerunner depicts not only John himself, but also his beheading and the discovery of his head. John the Forerunner is known in the Western Church as John the Baptist. In the Russian Orthodox Church, he is regarded as a herald of the Gospel and as the Forerunner of Christ. John the Forerunner has several feast days, including not only his birth and beheading but also the discovery of his head. This occurred three times: twice on 24 February and a third time on 25 May.