St. Herman Studios Icon of Baptist John! Our Lord called St John the greatest man ever born, that's saying something. He was a Jewish prophet who preached the coming of our Lord and called all to repentance, baptizing in the Jordan River all those who in repentance were preparing for the Lord's arrival. St John also baptized Christ in the Jordan. He was martyred and beheaded by Heron. Often you'll see icons of St John holding his sacred head which is present in this icon you see here.