The Roman Catholic Church observes Sunday, August 29, the Feast of the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist (San Juan Bautista), the precursor and cousin of Jesus Christ.
Special masses in observance of the feast will be offered in churches placed under his patronage such as at the St. John the Baptist Parish (Quiapo Church) in Manila, as well as at the St. John the Baptist Parish (Pinaglabanan Church) in San Juan City, and at the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. John the Baptist in Lian, Batangas, among many other churches named in honor of the first century Jewish preacher.
At the Pinaglabanan Church in San Juan, holy masses are expected be streamed live at 6 a.m., 12 noon, and at 6:30 p.m.
Also known as the last of the Old Testament prophets, the liturgical commemoration of the Feast of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist is as old as the feast of his nativity, which is celebrated on June 24 with more elaborate and festive rites that include the dousing of water.
As recorded in the Gospel of Luke, the circumstances of his birth were in preparation for the coming of the Savior Jesus Christ.
Aside from the Roman Catholic Church, the biblical event is also commemorated by the Eastern Catholic Churches, Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Church, and the Anglican Communion.