{"product_id":"saint-jean-precurseur-ange-desert-hagiographie","title":"Icon of Saint John the Forerunner and Baptist — Angel of the Desert","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis \u003cstrong\u003ehagiography\u003c\/strong\u003e depicts \u003cstrong\u003eSaint John the Forerunner and Baptist\u003c\/strong\u003e, son of the priest Zacharias and Elizabeth, following the iconographic type of the \u003cstrong\u003eAngel of the Desert\u003c\/strong\u003e: shown with wings, holding a scroll, and carrying his own head, referring to his martyrdom by beheading.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe was called \"Forerunner\" because his word prepared the way for Christ, and \"Baptist\" because he baptized the faithful in the waters of the Jordan. A relative of Christ, he led an ascetic life in the desert and preached with fervor, openly denouncing the immorality and religious hypocrisy of his time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe did not shy away from openly criticizing \u003cstrong\u003eHerod Antipas\u003c\/strong\u003e, tetrarch of Judea, for his illicit relationship with Herodias, his brother's wife. Imprisoned for this denunciation, Saint John was beheaded at the instigation of Salome, Herodias's daughter. The Forerunner was buried in the city of Sebaste, while his holy hand was transferred to Constantinople by the deacon Job, where it was kept in the imperial palace.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Orthodox Church honors the memory of the one it considers the \u003cstrong\u003elast and greatest prophet of the Old Testament\u003c\/strong\u003e on January 7 each year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHand-painted on \u003cstrong\u003ecarved wood\u003c\/strong\u003e, this icon pairs a \u003cstrong\u003e24-karat gold\u003c\/strong\u003e halo with a colored background, in a \u003cstrong\u003e50 x 28 cm\u003c\/strong\u003e format suited to a prayer or devotional space.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery hand-painted hagiography is one of a kind, bearing the iconographer's signature. Given for his feast, a baptism, or to enrich a collection of religious items, this \u003cstrong\u003eicon of Saint John the Forerunner\u003c\/strong\u003e honors the one who prepared the way of Christ to the very end, including in martyrdom.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Boutique Orthodoxe","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57078628516164,"sku":null,"price":250.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0941\/8594\/7460\/files\/cdc22f68-d9c6-4014-be4f-cf58b7c51bed.jpg?v=1786021213","url":"https:\/\/boutique-orthodoxe.com\/en\/products\/saint-john-forerunner-angel-desert-hagiography","provider":"Boutique Orthodoxe","version":"1.0","type":"link"}