The Head of John The Baptist

By Crusader1307

Well known in several Religious Sects Worldwide – ‘’John The Baptist’’ was a Biblical Religious Activist who ‘’pioneered’’ the very ‘’un-Judaic’’ Ideology of Salvation thru Baptism. Preceding Jesus Christ, John grew into a very threat to both the Hierarchy and control of The Jewish Monarchy (House of Herod) and of Judea’s occupation as a Vassal Territory of Imperial Rome. John’s preaching threatened to ‘’upset the apple cart’’ (as it were). It was all well good to ignore until John turned His teaching against King Herod. His rise to power after the death of His Father made Him consolidate His internal power by marrying His Father’s former Wife ad adopting her Daughter – Salome. Seen by traditional Judaic Religious Law as Adultery, John was quite vocal about it. Herod, realizing that by harming John, He may well start another Civil War and secure Rome’s wraith. He therefore denounced John – but did nothing.

It was, according to the time honored ‘’fairy tale’’ found in The Western Bible – Herod’s lust for His step-daughter Salome, that He finally acted against John. After making a quasi lewd request of Her, She promised to ‘’fulfill His desire’’, provided Herod would finally silence Her Mother’s accuser. Herod agreed, and arrested John, Imprisoned, He had John decapitated. Per Salome’s rather morbid request, His head was ‘’served to Her’’ on a ‘’Silver platter’’. It is in this piece of John’s Story, that the Legend takes hold. It is said that Herod had the head and remaining body burned. But Christian belief states that both were secreted and hidden as Relics of Faith. The rumors would persist for Centuries until the Head was found (by supernatural means in a ‘’Vision’’). Protected, it was said to come into custody of The Knights Templar, who venerated it as such. This was said to be the ideology used to persecute The Order by Rome, for daring to place John above Christ. After The Order’s ‘’demise’’, The head made it’s way to Rome.

In The Medieval Era, MANY ‘’Heads’’ would ‘’pop up’’ as being the ‘’genuine article’’. In fact, many of John’s body components would (and still are) become Holy Shrines. But The Church of Rome ‘’claims’’ the only genuine Relic. The purported Skull, still setting on a Silver Platter rests in a viewable Reliquary in The Church of San Silvestrie in Capite, Rome. All ‘’requests’’ for any scientific examinations for verification have been declined by The Holy See. The ‘’Head’’ is often cited by Believers as ‘’bestowing miraculous’’ abilities with regards to healing thru Intersession.