Within Christian theology, this carries significance as John the Baptist "was understood to be preparing the way for Jesus", with John 3:30 stating "He must increase, but I must decrease" this is symbolized in the fact that the "sun begins to diminish at the summer solstice and eventually increases at the winter solstice." By the 6th century AD, several churches were dedicated in the honour of Saint John the Baptist and a vigil, Saint John's Eve, was added to the feast day of Saint John the Baptist and Christian priests held three Masses in churches for the celebration. Professor Éamonn Ó Carragáin, University College Cork By the late sixth century, the Nativity of John the Baptist (24 June) had become an important feast, counterbalancing at midsummer the midwinter feast of Christmas. If Christ's conception and birth took place on the 'growing days', it was fitting that John the Baptist's should take place on the 'lessening days' ('diebus decrescentibus'), for the Baptist himself had proclaimed that 'he must increase but I must decrease' (John 3:30). Thus John's conception was celebrated on the eighth kalends of October (24 September: near the autumn equinox) and his birth on the eighth kalends of July (24 June: near the Summer solstice). The Baptist was conceived six months before Christ (Luke 1:76) he was not himself the light, but was to give testimony concerning the light (John 1:8–9). Such a relationship between Christ and his cousin was amply justified by the imagery of scripture. īy the sixth century, this solar cycle was completed by balancing Christ's conception and birth against the conception and birth of his cousin, John the Baptist. As the Western Christian Churches mark the birth of Jesus on December 25, Christmas, the Feast of Saint John (Saint John's Day) was established at midsummer, exactly six months before the former feast. Saint John's Day, the feast day of Saint John the Baptist, was established by the undivided Christian Church in the 4th century AD, in honour of the birth of the Saint John the Baptist, which the Gospel of Luke records as being six months before Jesus. Swedes celebrating Midsummer, Möja island in the Stockholm archipelago In Denmark and Norway, it may also be referred to as St. In Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, Midsummer's festival is a public holiday. In Sweden, the Midsummer is such an important festivity that there have been proposals to make the Midsummer's Eve the National Day of Sweden, instead of June 6. These are commemorated by many Christian denominations, such as the Roman Catholic Church, Lutheran Churches, and Anglican Communion, as well as by freemasonry. The undivided Christian Church designated June 24 as the feast day of the early Christian martyr St John the Baptist, and the observance of St John's Day begins the evening before, known as Saint John's Eve. It has pagan pre-Christian roots in Europe. Midsummer is a celebration of the season of summer usually held at a date around the summer solstice. John the Baptist, Saint John's Eve, Summer Solstice, Quarter days, Adonia June 21, 24, 25 or a date close to the Summer Solstice on June 20–25 John the Baptist.įestivals, bonfires, feasting, singing, Maypole dancingĬhurch service, reenactments of the life of Saint John the Baptist, processions, baptisms, and church weddings
Marks the ancient middle of summer, beginning of Astronomical summer, and the nativity of St. Liturgically: Roman Catholic Church, Lutheran Churches, Anglican Communion.United States, in some states of that country John's Feast Day, Jāņi, Enyovden, Līþa/ Lithe, Midsommar, Ivan Kupala Day, Juhannus, Mittumaari, Alban Hefin, Gŵyl Ganol yr Haf, Sankthans, Joninės, Jaanipäev, Keskikesäīrazil, traditionally and more common in the Northeastern Brazil where is public holiday in many states such as Pernambuco and Alagoas (in this country the celebration became a Midwinter celebration, due to the fact of being located in the Southern hemisphere)Ĭanada, traditionally and more common in Quebec Midsummerįeast of Saint John the Baptist, Summer Solstice, St. For other uses, see Midsummer (disambiguation).