Saint John the Baptist Day in Spain

Saint John the Baptist Day (La revetlla de Sant Joan, Nit de Sant Joan) marks the birth of St John on June 24 each year. It is a public holiday in the autonomous community of Catalonia in Spain.

John the Baptist in the cathedral of Lleida, Spain.

©iStockphoto.com/elkor

What do people do?

Saint John the Baptist Day is celebrated in many villages and towns, including Barcelona. Many events take place on the evening of June 23. People in Catalonia celebrate Saint John the Baptist Day by:

• Lighting bonfires, jumping over small fires (correfocs) and setting off fireworks.
• Writing wishes or sins on a piece of paper and burning the paper.
• Diving or bathing in dew, a stream, a river or the sea.
• Staying awake all night near a small fire.
• Watching the sun rise on the morning of June 24.
• Collecting and cooking with the herbs thyme, rosemary and verbena.

The drinks cava and ratafia are associated with Saint John the Baptist Eve and Day celebrations. Cava is sparkling wine produced in the Catalan region. Ratafia is an alcoholic liqueur or cordial made of wine, spirits and fresh fruit or herbs. Many people eat coca. These are flat loaves of bread with sweet or savory toppings.

Public life

Saint John the Baptist Day is a public holiday in the autonomous community of Catalonia on June 24. Public life is generally quiet. Most businesses and other organizations are closed. Most stores are closed but some bakers and food stores may be open. Public transport services generally run to a reduced schedule, although there may be no services in rural areas. Large events may cause some local disruption to traffic, particularly in town and village centers.

Regional or local authorities may move the public holiday to a different date, particularly if June 24 falls on a Sunday. If June 24 falls on a Tuesday or Thursday, many businesses and organizations are also closed on Monday, June 23, or Friday, June 29. Saint John the Baptist Day is not a public holiday in the rest of Spain on June 24.

Background

St John was a preacher and religious figure during Jesus' lifetime, according to Christian belief. Baptism rituals in the Jordan River were an important part of his ministry. He is thought to have baptized Jesus. This may have laid the foundation for the baptism rituals in many Christian churches.

It is unknown when or where St John was born, but it was probably before the birth of Jesus. His nativity, or birth, is celebrated on June 24 in many churches. He was beheaded sometime around the year 30 CE. He is the patron saint of many villages, towns and regions, including Catalonia. The Saint John the Baptist Eve and Day celebrations have their origin in ancient Midsummer solstice celebrations. These are reflected in the use of fire, water and certain herbs in the celebrations.

Symbols

Images of St John the Baptist often depict him wearing a camel-skin robe and with a cross and a lamb. He is often shown baptizing people, particularly Jesus.

Saint John the Baptist Day Observances

Other holidays in June 2013 in Spain

• Day of La Rioja ―Sunday, June 9, 2013
• Day of Murcia ―Sunday, June 9, 2013
• Day of Murcia observed ―Monday, June 10, 2013
• Day of La Rioja observed ―Monday, June 10, 2013
• San Antonio ―Thursday, June 13, 2013
• June Solstice ―Friday, June 21, 2013