He for such a dance promised to fulfill any desire of his stepdaughter. She was delighted and turned to her mother for advice. Herodias advised that, as a reward, the daughter was given the head of John the Baptist, cut off and brought on a platter. Herod was not pleased with this desire of the stepdaughter, because he knew that many people of the prophet were respected and inherited, but still kept his word - the executioner immediately cut off the head of the prisoner John. Secretly his disciples buried the body of the Forerunner.
This event became the basis of the holiday, celebrated by Christians on September 11. And this holiday is called The beheading of John the Baptist. Sometimes, in their ignorance, people believe that John the Baptist and John the Baptist are two different personalities, but in fact it is one person. The prophet John is the last prophet of the Old (Old) Testament. That is why September 11 is a great church holiday in the Christian world, because people mourn the tragic loss of a great man. The holiday of September 11 is also called the day of John the Holovosek.
Many years later, there is a legend that for his deed, King Herod, his wife and stepdaughter were punished with the wrath of the Lord. Herod's stepdaughter, who once voiced the desire, whispered in her ear by her mother, once crossed the river and fell through the ice. She hung on an ice floe, her head caught, when her whole body was in ice water. Then the same ice floe cut her head, just as the executioner had cut off John the Baptist's head. Herodias's father was angry that his daughter had committed adultery with her husband's brother and called himself his wife, and sent his troops to King Herod, who killed a couple in his palace.
How to celebrate the Orthodox holiday on September 11
On the day of the Beheading of John the Baptist, all Christians observe a strict fast. You can not eat dairy products, meat, fish. The people of September 11 are often called the day of John of Lent. Moreover, in addition to food restrictions, on such a great church holiday, it is necessary to refrain from various festivities, dancing, listening to music, because all these actions symbolize a feast, during which the prophet John was executed. That is why the modern believer needs to refuse to celebrate birthdays or weddings on that day.
September 11, in no case can you drink red wine, because it is associated with blood. And many priests recommend in the preparation of food to refuse the use of a knife. Of course, modern people can not always adhere to all church canons because of the rapid rhythm of their lives, but it is necessary to remember such great holidays, and if possible, they should be honored.