St. John the Baptist, Forerunner of the Lord

The Forerunner is depicted with wild hair and a camel-hair garment, often with wings (symbolizing his angelic life of asceticism). He frequently holds a scroll with the words 'Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand' and sometimes a platter bearing his own severed head — a reference to his martyrdom.

St. John the Baptist holds a unique place in Orthodox theology as the last of the Old Testament prophets and the first to recognize Christ.