Siolim São João TRADITIONAL BOAT FESTIVAL & CULTURAL ORGANISATION

Herodias was filled with hatred against John and sought to destroy him because John had said to Herod “It is sin to marry your brother’s wife while he is still alive Send away that whore or else you will perish “Me a whore?” said Herodias – You will pay for it dearly But Herod had ordered John’s arrest and put him in prison. Still Herod esteemed John and for a time obeyed him in many things Herod wanted to kill him but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John as a great prophet

King Herod gave a banquet, on his birthday, for the nobles, army officers and leaders of Galilee, at his palace In the middle of the dinner. Herodias announced that in honour of the King, Princess Salome (her daughter by her former husband Philip) shall dance Everybody liked Salome’s dance. At the end of the dance the king said to her “Salome, I am delighted. With your performance, ask me for anything you like “”Anything?” she asked. “Yes”, said the king “I will give you anything you ask for even half my kingdom” Salome consulted her mother and went to the king. The king asked: “Tell me, what is your wish?” she replied: “I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist, here and now on a dish.” The king was grieved on hearing these words and he said to her “No, not that Ask anything else, like money, ornaments.” Then Herodias stood up and said to him: “The king must keep his word. You swore before all these people. If you break your promise, then no one will respect you.” The king was sad but because of the promise he had made in front of all his guests. he gave orders that her wish be granted.

Then the king said in despair: “Guards, bring John’s head on a silver dish and give it to Salome. Let his disciples have the body” The guard went to the prison where John was, cut his head, brought it on a dish and it was given to Salome, who took it to her mother.

The head on a dish! The staring eyes on a bleeding head frightened every one in the hall but Herodias enjoyed and thanked to Princess Salome

The disciples of John took the body of their master and buried it. And they went to tell Jesus. Thus John became the herald not only by announcing the coming of Messiah, but also by prefiguring the outcomes of jesus Ministry