On July 7 (June 24 by old style) the Orthodox Church celebrates the Nativity of St. John the Baptist.

The Nativity of St. John the Baptist (or Birth of John the Baptist, or Nativity of the Forerunner) is a Christian feast day celebrating the birth of John the Baptist, a prophet who foretold the coming of the Messiah in the person of Jesus and who baptized Jesus.

In the Eastern Orthodox Church and other Eastern Christian Churches, St John the Baptist is usually called St John the Forerunner. This title indicates that the purpose of his ministry was to prepare the way for the coming of Jesus Christ. In the East also, the Feast of his Nativity is celebrated on June 24. It is a major feast day and is celebrated with an All-Night Vigil. It has an After-feast of one day. The feast always falls during the Apostles' Fast.

In addition to the birth of John the Baptist, the Orthodox Church also has the following commemorations of the life of John the Baptist:

January 7 - The Synaxis of St John the Forerunner (main feast day, immediately after Theophany (Epiphany) on January 6)

February 24 - First and Second Finding of the Head of St. John the Forerunner

May 25 - Third Finding of the Head of St. John the Forerunner

August 29 - The Beheading of St. John the Forerunner

September 23 - Conception of St John the Forerunner and the Commemoration of Sts. Zechariah and Elizabeth.