Epistle Reading: Acts 13:25-32
"And as John was finishing his course, he said, 'Who do you
think I am? I am not He. But behold, there comes One after me, the sandals
of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.'
"Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those
among you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent.
"For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because
they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read
every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him.
"And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked
Pilate that He should be put to death.
"Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning
Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb.
"But God raised Him from the dead.
"He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from
Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people.
"And we declare to you glad tidings; that promise which was
made to the fathers.
Gospel Reading: Mark 6:14-30
Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well-known.
And he said, "John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these
powers are at work in him."
Others said, "It is Elijah." And others said, "It is the
Prophet, or like one of the prophets."
But when Herod heard, he said, "This is John, whom I beheaded;
he has been raised from the dead!"
For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him
in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; for he had
married her.
For John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have
your brother's wife."
Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him,
but she could not;
for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man,
and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard
him gladly.
Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a
feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee.
And when Herodias' daughter herself came in and danced, and
pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, "Ask
me whatever you want, and I will give it to you."
He also swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up
to half of my kingdom."
So she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?" And
she said, "The head of John the Baptist!"
Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked,
saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a
platter."
And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths
and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her.
And immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his
head to be brought. And he went and beheaded him in prison,
brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the
girl gave it to her mother.
And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his
corpse and laid it in a tomb.
Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things,
both what they had done and what they had taught.
Saints and Feasts
Beheading of St. John the Baptist; Beheading of the Holy and Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John; Theodora of Thessaloniki; Anastasios the New Martyr of Bulgaria
