medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
I have a question about the date chosen for celebrating the feast of the birth of John the Baptist. Luke 1:36 dictates that the feast would need to be sometime in June, to properly coordinate with the feast of the Nativity. Does anyone have any idea why June 24 was chosen? I have heard modern exegesis that explains the date of feast, coming after the summer solstice, as metaphorically expressing the notion that John's light diminished as Christ's increased (cf, John 5:35-36). Does this line of exegesis have Medieval or Patristic origins?
Phil Feller
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