The Feast of the Nativity of St John the Baptist

St John the Baptist by Simeon Drouin, St Peter's Basilica

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June 24th is the feast of the nativity of St John the Baptist, the prophet who announced the coming of Christ. 

In art, the saint's attributes are a lamb and a reed cross (with a long slender stem). There is often a banner attached to the cross bearing the words 'Ecce Agnus Dei', a reference to the Gospel of St John (1:36): 'And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!'. 

St John the Baptist is invariably depicted pointing up to the heavens with his right index finger.