Let us celebrate the solemnity of the Holy Baptist, the Herald of Christ, and follow his example with our conduct, so that he might lead his followers on the way that he foretold!
We thy devotees beseech thee, most holy of men, friend of Jesus Christ, that we might witness the joy which Gabriel, appearing to Zachary, promised to those who celebrate thy nativity with their service, and that, through these festivities, we might obtain eternal joy, where the holy ones of God rejoice, delighting in holy pleasures.
Thee, who preparest the hearts of the faithful, lest God should find anything false or slippery in them, thee we ask, that thou shouldst be zealous to unloose our crimes and wickedness with constant prayer, so that He Himself, satisfied, might vouchsafe alway to visit His faithful and to make His dwelling in them and might desire to clothe us in the fleece of the Lamb, which thou hadst indicated with thy finger to take away the sins of the world, so that we might deserve, joined with angels, to follow Him in white garment through the most shining gate, o John, Friend of Christ!
