Beheading – The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist
On September 11 (August 29 according to the Julian calendar), the Serbian Orthodox Church observes Usekovanje glave Svetog Jovana Krstitelja (the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist). The feast day is marked with a red letter in the church calendar and is also a strict, one-day fast day – regardless of which day of the week it falls on. Among the people, the day is also known as jesenji Sveti Jovan (autumn Saint John) or Jovan Glavosek.
The Story Behind the Feast Day
The event commemorated on this day is described in the Gospel of Matthew (Mt 14:1–13). Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, had taken Irodijada as his wife – the wife of his own brother Filip. Sveti Jovan Krstitelj, the great prophet and forerunner of Christ, did not shy away from openly condemning this breach of law before everyone. For this, Herod had him thrown into prison.
At Herod's birthday celebration, Salomija, Irodijada's daughter, danced before the guests. The ruler promised to grant her any wish she desired. At her mother's urging, she demanded the head of Sveti Jovan – on a platter. Herod had the prophet beheaded in prison, and his head was brought in on a platter. Irodijada buried the head in her palace; Sveti Jovan's disciples buried his body in Sevastija, in the region of ancient Samaria.
Church tradition also recounts the further fate of those involved: Herod was militarily defeated by Prince Areta and later exiled by Rome, where he and Irodijada met their end in misery and humiliation. Salomija died in the Sikoris River.
This feast day has been celebrated since the earliest centuries of the Church – written records date back to the 5th century.
Why a Strict Fast is Observed on Usekovanje
Usekovanje is one of the few days in the church year when a strict fast is observed, regardless of the day of the week. Fasting is a sign of mourning for the martyrdom of the greatest prophet – Christ himself called Sveti Jovan the greatest among all born of women. According to tradition, on this day, suvi post (a strict fast without oil) is observed. On Usekovanje, there are no celebrations, no dancing, and no festivities.
Customs on Usekovanje
Around the feast day, customs have been preserved among the Serbian people, all of which recall the suffering of Sveti Jovan:
Do not eat or drink anything red. On this day, nothing red is eaten or drunk – no red wine, no tomatoes, no red apples, or other red fruits. The color red symbolizes the prophet's shed blood. Many families pay particular attention to this, especially with children.
Do not use a knife. Nothing is cut – bread is broken instead of cut. The knife symbolizes the weapon with which Sveti Jovan was beheaded.
Do not eat from a platter. According to tradition, nothing should be eaten from a platter or tray on this day, because Sveti Jovan's head was brought in on a platter.
Remove the red thread. Anyone wearing a red thread on their wrist removes it on this day.
Living Usekovanje in the Diaspora
Especially those living far from home often know these customs from their parents or grandparents – without anyone ever explaining why they are observed. Usekovanje is a day when faith becomes very concrete: through fasting, through silence, through renunciation. It is a good day to go to church, light a candle, and say a prayer before the icon of Sveti Jovan Krstitelj – for oneself, for the family, and for all who have passed on this faith to us.
Sources:
- Srpska pravoslavna crkva (spc.rs)
- Ohridski prolog, Sveti Nikolaj Velimirović
- Crkva Svetog Save, London (spclondon.org.uk)
- Politika, „SPC danas slavi Usekovanje glave Svetog Jovana Krstitelja"
