PROPERS: 02-25-23_GF1_Saturday_Finding_DL
NOTE: Because of “Clean Week,” the Feast of the First and Second Findings of the head of John the Basptist is transferred to Saturday, February 25th.
Parishes live-streaming in the Diocese can be found here: https://www.eparchyofpassaic.com/livestream
On February 24th (this year commemorated on February 25th) we commemorate the 1st and 2nd Findings of the Head of John the Baptist. After the Beheading of the Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John (August 29), his body was buried by disciples in the Samarian city of Sebaste, and his venerable head was hidden by Herodias in an unclean place. Saint Joanna, the wife of King Herod’s steward Chuza, secretly took the holy head and placed it into a vessel and buried it on the Mount of Olives in one of Herod’s properties. After many years, this property passed into the possession of a government official who became a monk with the name of Innocent. While digging the foundation of a new church the head in the vessel was found, preserved by Innocent & reburied upon his death. It was later found again during the days of Constantine the Great by devout Christians & monks who buried it in a cave. A church was built on this spot.
