September 11 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)

In the Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendar, September 11 is the feast commemorating the commemoration of the Beheading of Saint John the Forerunner and Baptist. This is a strict fast day, often observed with abstinence from meat, dairy, eggs, fish with backbones, oil, and wine (although the rigor of the fast can vary depending on local custom and the particular liturgical guidelines followed).

The feast commemorates the biblical event recounted in the Gospels (Matthew 14:1-12, Mark 6:14-29) where Saint John the Baptist was beheaded at the order of Herod Antipas, due to a promise made to Salome, Herodias' daughter. The Orthodox Church considers Saint John the Forerunner to be the greatest of all born of women, second only to the Theotokos (Mother of God) in sanctity.

The liturgical observance includes special hymns and prayers appointed to the feast, recalling Saint John's role as the Forerunner of Christ, his courageous preaching of repentance, and his martyrdom for the sake of truth and righteousness. The troparion and kontakion particular to the day are chanted at the Divine Liturgy and other services.

The event is not to be confused with other events that may occur on September 11th in the Gregorian calendar. The Orthodox liturgical calendar primarily utilizes the Julian calendar, which is currently thirteen days behind the Gregorian calendar. Therefore, September 11th according to the Julian calendar corresponds to September 24th on the Gregorian calendar. However, some Orthodox jurisdictions or individual parishes may use the Revised Julian calendar, which aligns with the Gregorian calendar for fixed feasts, in which case the feast of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist would indeed fall on September 11th of the Gregorian calendar.