17. Saint John Proclaims Christ the Lord. Mt. 3:11–12; Mk. 1:7; Lk. 3:15–18

When the people were in expectation, and all were pondering in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered them all saying: I baptize you with water for repentance, but there comes after me One mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire; His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean His threshing floor and gather His wheat into the barn, but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.

Many things also did John preach to the people, teaching them.