Feast of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist

The feast of the Nativity of John the Baptist is celebrated on June 24 in both Catholic, Lutheran, and Anglican calendars, marking six months before Christmas. According to the Gospel of Luke (1:36), Elizabeth is described as a "relative" of Mary, the mother of Jesus, highlighting the familial connection between the two figures.

Key Highlights of the Christian Event
A special Mass is held on this day at Ein Karem, at the Church of St. John the Baptist, which is believed to be built on the site of the home of Zacharias and Elizabeth.

Notable Holy Land Sites to Explore
Church of the Visitation in Ein Karem, a significant pilgrimage site where Mary visited Elizabeth.
Monastery of St. John in the Wilderness, located in the heart of the Judean hills, just 1.8 miles from Ein Karem, the birthplace of St. John, and about 4.5 miles west of Jerusalem.