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 heaven. 

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