On May 25th, we commemorate the 3rd Finding of the Head of the Holy Prophet, Forerunner John the Baptist. This finding occurred about the year 850. Saint John’s head was initially found on the Mount of Olives, where it was hidden by Joanna, wife of Chusa, after he was beheaded. It was again found in the city of Emesia when there was unrest in Constantinople when St. John Chrysostom was exiled. St. John’s head was then transferred to Komana during the Saracen raids (years 810-820) and hidden underground during the iconoclastic persecution. When icon veneration was restored, Patriarch Ignatius dreamt the location of St. John’s hidden head. He communicated this to the emperor & a delegation traveled to Komana, where the head was found a 3rd time (year 850). Later, St. John’s head was transferred to Constantinople & on May 25th, was placed in a church at the court. Of note: part of the head is on Mt. Athos.
