The Stolen Head of St John the Baptist

June 24 is the feast of St John the Baptist. Ever since the date of Christmas was established as December 25, the Church has celebrated the birthday of John in Midsummer, since, working from the Gospel of Luke, the Virgin Mary’s cousin Elizabeth was six months pregnant when the Archangel appeared to Mary. These were the only two earthly birthdays kept by Christians; later the Nativity of the Virgin became the third. Every other saint’s day was marked on the anniversary of his or her death – or birth into eternal life.