John the Baptist at The Musée des Beaux-Arts, Lyon

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St. John the Baptist (born 1st decade BCE, Judaea, Palestine, near Jerusalem—died 28-36 CE; feast day June 24) burst onto the scene as a Jewish prophet of priestly origin who proclaimed God's Final Judgment was imminent and baptized those who repented in preparation for it; he is revered in the Christian church as Jesus Christ's trailblazer. After years spent alone in the desert, John the Baptist emerged as a respected prophet in the lower Jordan River valley region. He attracted a group of devoted followers, including Jesus, who received his baptismal rite.