St. John the Baptist

St. John the Baptist’s birth was announced by a heavenly messenger. The Angel Gabriel told St. John the Baptist’s father that his wife, Elizabeth the relative of the Virgin Mary, would have a child despite her old age. St. John the Baptist lived as a hermit until around the year 27. He began to preach at age 30 and later baptized Jesus, whom he called the Lamb of God. The saint, who had many followers, encouraged people to follow Jesus. St. John the Baptist was beheaded.