Sun’s out. Feeling fit. By some fluke have no phone calls to make.

Garmin records: 3.38 miles in 31:48, max speed 11.7 and average 6.4 mph. Ascent 1081ft, descent (worringly 871ft).

Not gonna win anything like that, but to be honest this was a tough one. Not run for ages, pretty cold out and a cutting wind in your face around the dock. Stopped 5 times for a breather. What a light weight. But the Garmin’s happy now and I particularly like my running leggings. Are they called reggings or am I taking the concept of jeggings way too far?

Ich werde morgen Muskelkater haben, aber sowas von.

Endlich habe ich es mal wieder geschafft mit meinen Trainern eine Runde zu drehen. Mit dabei noch 2 “Opfer” in der 5. Woche Anfängerkurs. Das war dann auch der erste richtige Einsatz für die neuen Stöcke. Hier eine kleine Bildzusammenstellung, allerdings ohne Trophäen-Dreck, den habe ich vorhin abgespült.

Vor lauter losstöckeln habe ich vergessen die Forerunner zu starten, deshalb heute nur ein Link und nichts für die Statistik. Ich schätze mal ein Kilometer mehr war es. Mittendrin gab es als Garnitur eine Runde Kraftübungen und einige Hüpfeinlagen. Das war definitiv genug Sport für heute.

In these last days, I believe that the Lord is looking for a people who agree with His heart. A people who are attentively listening to His desires, and then interceding for those very desires to come to pass on the earth. That we might be considered friends of the Bridegroom, a people who He can share His burden with. Isaiah 6:8 tells of the Lord seeking a prophet, a messenger to His people. He asks, “Whom can I send? Who will go for us?” I believe the Lord is asking similar questions today–not just “Who will go?” but also “Who will speak for Me?” I believe He is looking for forerunners and messengers who will be committed to carrying the burdens that move His heart. I believe He is looking for a people who will take great joy in pressing their ears to His heart, to hear what moves and grieves Him, and to share that knowledge with His Bride.

Isaiah 63:1-6 tells of a time when the Lord was looking for a people to agree with His heart. He was searching for people to support and help Him in carrying out His plans and desires on the earth. Unfortunately, though the Lord searched for His people to partner with Him, no one could be found. The passage explains:

Who is this, robed in splendor, striding forward in the greatness of his strength? “It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save.” Why are your garments red, like those of one treading the winepress? “I have trodden the winepress alone; from the nations no one was with me. I trampled them in my anger and trod them down in my wrath; their blood spattered my garments, and I stained all my clothing. For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and the year of my redemption has come. I looked, but there was no one to help, I was appalled that no one gave support; so my own arm worked salvation for me, and my own wrath sustained me. I trampled the nations in my anger; in my wrath I made them drunk and poured their blood on the ground.”

Oh, that the Lord would consider us a people who are at His side to partner with Him in these last days! That as the Lord looks on His people, asking “Who will speak for Me?”, He would find many who are attentive to His heart and His purposes. I believe a vital step in becoming the kind of messengers and partners the Lord is looking for in these last days is unity. Last night the Lord gave me a dream in which He shared with me the current state of the Church. Currently, the Bride is in utter chaos, while what the Lord is looking for is unity. That we as the Bride of Christ would be unified in agreement with the things He is telling us about His heart and His plans for the earth in these last days. He is looking for a unified people, a united army of forerunners and messengers for His Name. Will you speak for Him?

GFR305: I hear you went to London the other day.

sikblogged: um, yes…

GFR305: Didn’t think I might like a quick run around, then?

sikblogged: I went by train.

GFR305: and how exactly did you get to the station?

sikblogged: um. bike.

GFR305: There’s a setting on me which says bike. Did you know that? No, probably not given that all I’ve done so far is just sit here close to the box I came in.

sikblogged: at least you’re out of the box and fully charged up. i’ve got a piano accordian downstairs that’s waiting for us to clear the playroom before he sees light of day…

GFR305: don’t change the subject.

sikblogged: OK OK. Yes I realise I can calibrate you for am bike ride.

GFR305: So?

sikblogged: It takes five minutes, i’ve got a second or third hand so called mountain bike from Halfords that I wouldn’t trust going down a slightly inclined plain at anymore that jogging pace. I was carrying a heavy bag with a laptop in it (muggers stop reading now) It’s hardly the right time to record a training session.

GFR305: Don’t know why you bothered with me.

sikblogged: There will be time. I promise. Hell, I miss the running. I need you mate. Do give up on me yet. We’ll have great times you and me and and and. Hell you’re just a piece of technology, why am I getting sentimental?

GFR305: I might just be technology but I am technically an onboard computer that fits on your wrist. Fine, I’m no word processor but then your laptop’s slowing down from what I hear from the second mobile phone.

sikblogged: Don’t listen to my second mobile phone. He’s purely for work. He doesn’t know how things work round here.

GFR305: look mate, all i’m saying is here’s the potential, what’s stopping you?

sikblogged. time and darkness. true i have luminous running shorts and top but i need to make a living here, you know? patience. everything will fall into place and we’ll go miles together i promise.

GFR305: guess i’m just lonely.

sikblogged: How can you be lonely when you’ve already aquired at least three satellites?

GFR305: They’re not friends. Just co-ordinates.

Distance: 0

Time: 24 hours

Altitude: 10 foot, constant.

sikblogged has left garmin in a box while he claims to be working and moving things around in the bedroom.

garmin is considering running away with a pair of nightglow skin tight running shorts and a shirt that makes your arms look tatoo’d.

Distance: 2 m.

Time: 4 secs

Altitude: Rising approx 10 foot.

Heart Rate: No discernible change.

sikblogged went up stairs. Forerunner feels sikblogged is pushing it…

The Forerunner

-  To Gedun Choephel

Oh! Socrates of the Snow Land,

A man of an ordinary birth

With a wisdom extraordinary

Preached to lead the multitude.

Yet his thoughts never got along

As far his wisdom had gone ahead.

His thoughts never got light

And his vision discarded.

His task was not without a hitch

Under his ragged appearance

The visionary, mocked and unheeded

Waking a generation gone asleep.

He fought the ghost of loneliness

Endured the critique of the ignorant,

The true patriot of all times

Jailed for no wrong or reason.

When the demon of ignorant spirits

Attacked him as a traitor

Welcomed death as a draught of hemlock

For his death shall illuminate their ignorance.

The single awakened soul

While the multitude, drunken with darkness.

The lone pioneer revolutionary

An all times greatest visionary.

Awakened yet fallen victim of

What is forewarned, his traces glowing

His words now preaching

And honoring in rue and regret.

Note: Gedun chophel was a revolutionary, visionary, poet-philosopher, writer and a rare Tibetan intellectual figure whose early exposure to the world made him a victim of ignorance to his homeland.

Distance: 3 m

Time: 2 secs

Altitude: ???

(whilst carrying plates from front room to sitting room)

Not sure I’m saving that one to ‘History’

Folgende Laufuhren hab’ ich teuer abzugeben:

1.) Polar S210

2.) Garmin Forerunner 205 (VERKAUFT)

Bei Interesse kurze Nachricht mit Gebot.

Beim Buch “Der Vollzeitmann” von Achim Achilles bin ich jetzt mittlerweile bei Seite 100 angekommen.

Tja, was soll man zu so einem Buch sagen. Ich habe etwas anderes erwartet.

Gibt es eigentlich eine FSK für Bücher?

Eben hab’ ich den neuen Termin für den Keep on Running 2010 in St. Wendel gesehen:

Freitag 01.10.2010 CityNight-Prolog

Samstag 02.10.2010 Spiemont-Trail

Sonntag 03.10.2010 Bosenberg-Trail

Anmeldung ab Dezember möglich.

La vuelta de J Hazen al sello sueco Sound Of Habid está muy próxima, con su lanzamiento número 36, Sound Of Habid nos trae desde EEUU dos nuevas pistas de este gran productor que muestran su sonido más underground, inspirandose en los nuevos sonidos que llegan a las escenas de San Francisco.

Este lanzamiento podreis encontrarlo disponible en las mejores tiendas a partir del próximo 30 de Octubre.

Revision:

1. J Hazen – Forerunner (Original Mix)

La primera pista del lanzamiento esta sin duda influida en lo más underground de EEUU. Con un tratamiento de las lineas de bajo perfectamente compenetrado con las baterias, creando grandes cambios basados en diferentes efectos de Glitch, una pista muy trankila y con unos bajos muy punzantes y juguetones, aocmpañados de pequeñas melodias agradables de escuchar y que le vienen como anillo al dedo! Sin duda alguna un tema muy bueno que dará que hablar en la escena underground.

2. J Hazen – That’s what they all say (Original Mix)

En esta ocasión nos encontramos con una pista influenciada en  el Tech Breaks, una pista muy tranquila y agradable para el oido ya que contiene unos paisajes sonoros muy llamativos y relajantes. Unos cambios creados con la batería muy logrados es de lo que más me llama la atención de esta pista, un gran ambiente y una sensación de estar oyendo música de otro planeta. La propongo para la próxima banda sonora de Final Fantasy!

Para más información acerca de Sound Of Habid:

www.myspace.com/soundofhabib

www.soundofhabib.com

Posted on March 1, 2009 by haloboyy1928 |  

General Description: A type of laser, which is difficult to use but if used correctly is lethal.  Causes damage by burning skin. Runs out of ammo quickly. Does not appear on any maps by default, and must be forged in.

Range: Not good at close range but extremely good at medium and can be effective at long range

Good against: players in crowds

Bad against:  vehicles

Vorweg: Ich habe mich heute tatsächlich aufgerafft und bin losgelaufen. Nach einem viel zu langen Arbeitstag, wonach ich eigentlich lieber die Füße hochlegen und mich allenfalls bewegen wollte, um die Fernbedienung in die Hand zu nehmen…

Aber nachdem Christian richtigerweise festgestellt hatte, dass ich beim letzten Kampf mit meinem inneren Schweinehund nur ein lahmes Unentschieden errungen hatte, wollte ich ihn diesmal gar nicht richtig zu Wort kommen lassen (den Schweinehund! Christian darf ruhig weiter reden )

Als ich gerade meinen Lauf dokumentieren wollte, ist mir aufgefallen, dass zwischen den Daten bei Sporttracks und dem Garmin Trainings-Center eine Differenz besteht.

Garmin sagt:
4,60 km – 33:21 min – Pace 7:15 min/km – Pulsdurchschnitt 157 bpm

Sporttracks sagt:
4,71 km – 33:19 min – Pace 7:07 min/km – Pulsdurchschnitt 157 bpm

Wieso weichen die Daten voneinander ab? Kann mir das jemand erklären? Wem kann ich denn jetzt vertrauen? Nicht, dass das bei meinen Trainings irgendwie von Bedeutung wäre…

Auf alle Fälle war ich relativ flott für meine Verhältnisse unterwegs, lt. Sporttracks sogar 500 Meter in einer Pace von 5:33 min/km *staun*. Vielleicht lerne ich allmählich doch etwas schneller zu laufen. (Da ging es auch nicht bergab, ich habe extra geschaut *gg*)

Allerdings war mir die Strecke eigentlich zu kurz. Es ist nur so, wenn ich allein unterwegs bin und “nur” hier um die Häuser laufe, zieht es mich wie mit einem Magneten immer wieder Richtung Couch. Da kann ich zwar Schlenker einbauen, komme aber kaum über meine fünf km hinaus. Also schließe ich daraus, dass ich mir für Freitag eine schöne Strecke aussuche und mir wieder etwas mehr km vornehme. Vielleicht schaffe ich davor noch einen Lauf zum Thema “kurz und knackig” (Zitat Hannes

Mal schauen…

Garmin GPS Wristband Forerunner 405CX (Blue) c/w Heart Rate Monitor and USB ANT Stick Review

Feature

Overview
Garmin GPS Wristband Forerunner 405CX (Blue) c/w Heart Rate Monitor and USB ANT Stick

The Forerunner 405CX is an evolution in GPS-enabled training, improving on the already-popular features of the existing Forerunner 405. The 405CX features a new heart rate-based calorie computation that is more accurate, a second wrist strap option suitable for smaller wrists and a fashionable blue colour.

• High-sensitivity GPS receiver
• Robust, waterproof design (IPX7)
• Innovative patent pending touch bezel interface
• Can be used for running and cycling
• Display: Round 4-level gray FSTN, 124 x 95 pixels
• Distance accuracy: 99% with clear view of sky
• Two wristbands included to choose for best fit.
• Optional GSC 10 speed/cadence bike sensor
• Optional foot pod measures speed and distance
• Watch functions: time of day (12/24h), dual time zone, (day/date), daily alarm
• Virtual Partner, courses, workouts, goals
• Zone training, heart rate zone training, supports 5 heart rate zones
• ANT+Sport wireless technology – lets you transfer information between the watch and the PC and also other Forerunner 405s
• Battery life: 8 hours (training) or 2 weeks (power save)
• Size / Weight: 45.75 x 70.5 x 16.4 mm / 60 g  

*** Product Information Sep 24, 2009 22:00:10

^{genesis 6:5} then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. ¹¹ the earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. ¹² so God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. so does any of this sound at all ‘up to date’? ⁸ but noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. i wonder what this looked like; how did he find grace in the eyes of the Lord……..was he living a holy spotless life (?) or was maybe, even in his weekness, even just saying “help, Lord!…if you are out there………”  it’s kind of like heavens appraisal of lot (who we view as a total weak-kneed wimp)…….lot was seen as righteous in a wicked place………could there be hope for us?  could we muster a ‘righteous’ cry for help? ¹³ and God said to noah, “the end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth. can we hear God’s warnings, as He spoke through joel, jeremiah and the rest…….can we hear today and believe He may be getting ready to visit our land with judgement, even if we are experiencing some level of blessing and favor?  can we maybe hear and believe we can be a ‘voice’ for Him………could we blow the trumpet? ¹⁴ make yourself an ark……………..¹⁵ and this is how you shall make it……………… could He be telling us one form of preparation is to build an ark; the ark of our hearts being formed according to His heavenly pattern? (rememeber, once the rain comes, it’s too late to build the ark.  the virgins without oil in their lamps in the gospel of matthew are warned, we need to get it ahead of time, it seems: maybe part of the motivation it is for us is to have our ‘arks’ prepared, is for the benefit of others, so they know where to go for salvation in the storm to come……) ¹⁷ and behold, I Myself am bringing floodwaters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh…….¹⁸ but I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall go into the ark….oh yes, an incredible loving God is warning us and giving us ‘the pattern’ in which to build so we and our family’s can survive the coming storm…..the coming judgement that will remove all that hinders love……. ²² thus noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.  ^{genesis 7:1} then the LORD said to noah, “come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation. so what made noah righteous…….weakness in crying out and willingnes to trust God  and build according to His pattern for living (like sermon on the mount etc) rather than the pattern of the world which leads to death…….¹⁶ so those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him; and the LORD shut him in…..for some reason when it says ‘and the Lord shut him in” just wrecks me……it’s not like a prison…….it’s like loving arms surrounding noah, so he and his household would make it….not just suvive but be available to be fruitful and multiply (that is ruling and reigning with the Lord in the redeemed earth. wow!) ²³ so He destroyed all living things which were on the face of the ground: both man and cattle, creeping thing and bird of the air. they were destroyed from the earth. only noah and those who were with him in the ark remained alive. only that, that fascilitated love remained…………God is so good, He is not on trial! so here is another thing that struck me about noah and us……..can you imagine first of all, how boring and tedious it must have gotten to daily work on a ‘boat’ for a coming disaster that you have no grid for and do it faithfully for 125 years………and be a potential embarrassment to your family, neighbors and friends (like noah, “get a job” or “hey shem, your dad is such a freak, what does he do for a living?”)  and then the inner conflicts……..when is this storm or whatever it is coming……?  what if i don’t get it done in time?  or the real inner struggle that we have as we are honest with ourselves and the Lord; this thing i’m building can’t possibly float, i have no idea what i’m doing (i want to live whole heartedly, but i’m so weak, i feel like such a hypocrite most of the time………will i ever really change…….am i really considered righteous before the Lord  because of the blood of Jesus……….will i make it?)  it also occured to me, that though noah didn’t know when the judgemnet was coming, the Lord brought it when the ark was done……….or as in God’s sovereignty; He helped noah get it done on time….and according to the pattern…………so let us build according to the pattern and the very building of the ark of our hearts will be like a trumpet blast to those around us of the judgement that is coming……….noah was a forerunner and a messenger……….as he built the ark according to God’s pattern it was a work that went on day and night………he was a faithful witness and so are we……….keep building! allow yourself to be fascinated with Jesus…… His grace is with you and many are depending on you, even if they don’t realize it now……..many critics are watching you and hoping you are in a cult so they don’t have to examine their own hearts and theology, but some day they will see and either build the ark or or be rescued by one or…………….there will be a great falling away………

Bevor ich den nächsten Urlaubsbericht tippe, hier ein kurzer Zwischenbericht zu meinen Laufaktivitäten (ich hoffe, ich überfordere euch nicht mit zwei Artikeln an einem Tag!) :

Ich war fleißig: und zwar bin ich gestern Mittag FAST 10 km gelaufen. Es waren dann nur 9,74 km – aber immerhin das längste was ich in der letzten Zeit gelaufen bin!

Vorgenommen hatte ich mir, eine Stunde und fünfzehn Minuten zu laufen, so langsam, dass ich die Zeit gut und locker durchhalte. Dabei wollte ich meinen Puls beobachten. Keine Vorgabe, nur gucken…

Dabei herausgekommen ist dies:

Distanz: 9,74 km
Dauer: 1:17:58 h
Durchschn. Tempo: 8:01 min / km
Durchschn. Herzfrequenz: 156 bpm

Hier die Details laut Sporttrack:

Ich weiß nur noch nicht, wie ich so schöne Kartenübersichten mache, wie sie einige von Euch immer in ihren Blogs zeigen. Geht das nur, wenn man Google-Earth installiert?

Mich hat allerdings gewundert, dass mein durchschnittlicher Puls genauso hoch lag, wie sonst auch, wenn ich zumindest etwas schneller laufe. Na gut, dafür laufe ich dann eine kürzere Strecke…

Der Lauf:
Als ich vom Auto aus los laufen wollte, streikte ausgerechnet gerade mein MP3-Player. Einfach aufgehängt, man konnte ihn noch nicht einmal mehr ausschalten! Das war sch…e großer Mist, denn wenn ich schon mal lange laufen will, geht das nicht ohne Unterhaltung in Form von Musik oder einem Hörbuch…
Zum Glück kann man das Ding reseten – allerdings braucht man dazu eine Büroklammer oder etwas ähnliches spitzes. Klar, sowas habe ich natürlich immer beim Laufen dabei…
Also schnell überlegt und daran erinnert, dass ich ja früher immer “McGyver” geschaut habe. Was hätte der in meiner Situation gemacht? – Richtig, aus einer Kugelschreibermine eine Bombe gebaut…
Ich fand stattdessen eine Taschenlampe im Auto, an der so ein kleiner Schlüsselring hing. Den kurzerhand aufgebogen und das spitze Ende als Reset-Werkzeug benutzt – wunderbar, der MP3-Player tat es wieder!

Es wurde ein sehr schöner Lauf, das Wetter war prima, ein richtig toller letzter Sommertag, viele Sonntags-Ausflügler unterwegs, aber erstaunlich wenige Läufer. Dabei ist es im Hertener Schlosspark wirklich nett, so langsam lerne ich auch die Wege kennen und finde mich auch schon besser zurecht.
Sorgen brauche ich mir ja keine zu machen, denn dank des Forerunners finde ich ja auch wieder zurück zum Auto, falls ich mal die Orientierung verliere – was sonst schon mal vorkommen könnte…

Letztendlich habe ich mich dann doch geärgert, dass ich die 10 km nicht noch voll gemacht habe. Aber genau bei dem 9,74 km war meine Runde zu Ende, und ich war wieder am Auto. Da hätte ich natürlich noch weiter Laufen können, wenn der Schweinehund nicht gesagt hätte: “Halt, du bist doch schon am Ziel, hier geht es nur bergauf, das willst du doch nicht ernsthaft…, 9,74 km reicht völlig…" usw. Er hörte gar nicht mehr auf, auf mich einzuquasseln. Hm, und da habe ich mich wohl bequatschen lassen und habe aufgehört…

Last night, our running group tackled our first 6-mile run.  Shockingly, we managed 6.5 in an hour and seven minutes!  Not Boston qualifying by any means, but pretty damn good for us weeble wobbles.  Now, this could have been because we way underestimated the amount of daylight left and found ourselves running the last two miles through an extremely dark, heavily wooded path.  While I choose to believe I was just in the groove, I can’t help but wonder if visions of a CSI crime scene didn’t have me bookin it a little.  Anyways, after sprinting the last 100 yards, I immediately looked down at my Forerunner to check the run stats.  I scrolled through all of the screens, checking our fastest pace, our average pace, the total mileage, and finally, the JACKPOT!  We burned 844 calories!!!  My God, I love that watch.

What, might you ask, is the Forerunner?  The Forerunner is made by Garmin and is a GPS-enabled training device with unbelieveable bells and whistles.  Garmin makes several iterations of the Forerunner, including a water-resistant model (310XT) that’s waterproof up to a depth of 50m (I don’t do the whole swimming thing, so I haven’t tested the validity of this.  Anyone have one and can comment?).  I have the clunkier 305 (see below) which allows me to calculate all of my critical running stats in addition to tracking my progress over time with a nifty computer program.  The Forerunner syncs up to the computer with minimal effort and quickly downloads all of my running stats in to the program where I can then manipulate them any way I choose.  It’s truly God’s gift to the Type A runner.  And there is no motivation quite as great as seeing the number of calories I burned flash on to the screen.  That alone is worth the cost of the watch.

Since there are now older iterations of the Garmin, they can be found fairly easily for less than retail on Ebay and Amazon.   If you are at all interested in training for a race, triathlon, etc. or just wanting to get a better handle on tracking your exercise progress, I strongly encourage you to check out this watch!  The Garmin site lists all of the available models (https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=142).  Commence drooling…

These GPSrs, designed for runners, can also be used for geocaching.

The Beheading of the Holy Glorious Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John

“Having suffered for the truth, thou hast gone rejoicing to declare to those in hell the good tidings of God having appeared in the flesh” (Trofarion of the Feast, Aug. 29).

The whole life of St. John the Forerunner, from its first days, was entirely dedicated to the One Who came after him. In the days of infant massacres in Bethlehem, he was also sought by Herod, and his mother Elizabeth fled with him into the desert, where she died on the fortieth day. About the same time, his father Zacharias was killed by the servants of Herod, in the Temple. The desert raised John, and he remained there in silence, for thirty years, until the word of God came unto him, commanding him to preach repentance and call on men to prepare the way of the Lord (Luke 3:2).

About half a year after the beginning of his ministry, having prepared the Jews to expect the speedy coming of the Messiah, and surrounding himself with disciples, most of whom became the first disciples of Christ, John the Baptist, baptized Christ. The mystery of the Holy Trinity was then revealed to him. Having informed those with him, that the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world was present, John gradually faded into the shadows and everyone began follow the new Teacher.

However, John rather than grieving over this, rejoiced. When his especially devoted disciples asked him about his lack of concern over his decreasing fame, he replied with words that clearly expressed his personality. “I am not the Christ, but I am sent before Him. He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, who standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: therefore this my joy is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:28-50).

Soon after this, his word thundered forth, accusing Herod, so he was cast into a prison, where his earthly life ended. He was beheaded during Herod’s banquet.

“ At that time, King Herod heard that Jesus’ name had become known. Some said, “John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; that is why these powers are at work in him.” But others said, “It is Elijah.” “It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” But when Herod heard of it he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.”

And others said, For Herod had sent and seized John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; because he had married her. For John said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he was much perplexed; and yet he heard him gladly. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and the leading men of Galilee. For when Herodias’ daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will grant it.” And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.” And she went out, and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the baptizer.”

And she came in immediately with haste to the king, and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” And the king was exceedingly sorry; but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. And immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard and gave orders to bring his head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb. The apostles returned to Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught.” ( Mark 6:14-30 )

The beheading of St. John the Baptist, which cut off his earthly life, at the same time, started his new and glorious ministry as Forerunner.

The soul of St. John the Baptist, departing his ascetic body, went to hell, the place where the souls of all who died before the Savior’s death on the Cross. The souls of everyone beginning from Adam were here.

However, the holy and righteous soul of St. John the Baptist did not go there in order to experience a dark condition of alienation and distance from God. The “friend of the Bridegroom,” who had baptized Him, suffered for his righteousness, bore the hope of the coming Kingdom of God, preached to all preparing the way for Him, was inseparably bound to Him through his devotion, testifying everywhere for Christ, as His messenger, sent before Him..

Having descended to hell, John continued the ministry that he had performed on earth—the preaching about the Kingdom of God drawing near. The souls of the righteous ones, from the Old Testament were languishing in hell, awaiting the fulfillment of the coming of the One Who would conquer the serpent, as had been told to Adam by God. The prophets, who had seen beforehand in spirit, the coming of the Messiah awaited the fulfillment of the revelations that had been made to them. These souls, deprived of the light of God’s glory, tormented with waiting for the fulfillment of their hope, John came, having descended to hell, bringing the Joyful tidings that soon the kingdom of hell would be destroyed. Those who awaited the Redeemer would soon behold Him and be liberated by Him. John testified that the Son of God had already come to earth and that after baptizing Him, he had witnessed the Holy Spirit descending and remaining on Him (John 1:33-34).

The preaching of John concerning the coming of the Messiah was addressed not only to the souls of the righteous, but to all who were in hell. He appeared in hell to prepare the way of the Lord, just as he had prepared it on earth. John the Baptist’s descent to hell and his preaching of the Gospel was the proclamation of joy to those who were languishing there.

The souls of all the dead, save for the most inveterate sinners, heeded the preaching of the Baptist. Therefore, when Christ descended to hell after His death on the Cross, He was greeted not only by the Old Testament righteous ones, but also by the souls of those who once were disobedient and opposed the long suffering of God in the days of Noah and during the rest of the time that sin reigned among men (1 Peter 3:20).

Hell was destroyed by the Christ’s soul descent into it; the dark confinement shone with light; the souls of the reposed were led into the Kingdom of Heaven. The entryway to this ruin of hell was the descent of the Baptist. Having fulfilled his ministry as Forerunner on earth, he appeared as the Forerunner of Christ, in hell. His beheading is not only the culmination of his earthly exploit, but also the beginning of a new and glorious ministry.

Among them, that are born of women, there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist (Matt. 11:11; Luke 7:28), Christ said of him. This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before Thy face, which shall prepare Thy way before Thee (Luke 7:27).

These words of the Lord Himself, testify of the spiritual greatness of John and his high purpose in the work of the salvation of the human race. He appeared as the servant and preacher of God as no other single man in the world, having begun to preach and praise Christ before his birth, and finishing it even after his death, ascending with Christ into the Kingdom of Heaven after the destruction of hell. As the greatest of the righteous, a worthy place was prepared for him in the Kingdom of his Friend, where he remains now, awaiting its revelation in all glory and the triumphant feast of the Lamb of God in the Second Coming, when He will gather His wheat into the garner, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire (Matt. 3.12; Luke 3.17).

His beheading was his final exploit on earth, and the last step for the receiving of the greatest reward in the Kingdom of Heaven; while for all those in hell it was the rising of the morning star, before the appearance of the Son of Righteousness.

Just as the nativity of St. John the Forerunner and Baptist is the beginning of the Gospel for the living, so is his beheading the beginning of the Gospel for the dead. “The glorious beheading of the Forerunner is part of a certain Divine dispensation, for he preached to those in hell the coming of the Savior” (Kontakion of the Feast).

“Be glad, Baptist, and let thy spirit dance: for thou dost accuse the godless Herod, and dost preach to those in hell, saying: Our salvation hath drawn near” (Canticle 4 of the Canon).

“He who came before Thy Birth and Thy Divine Passion is, through a sword, in the nethermost parts of the earth. John, the prophet and messenger of Thy descent there, cries as the voice of the Word: Do ye dead, as Giver of life, do ye blind, as Giver of light, do ye prisoners, as Deliverer, exalt Christ above all forever” (Canticle 8 of the Canon).