Today is Midsummer, the Feast of John the Baptist, who in Christian tradition was the initiator of Christ. According to other traditions, such as the Gnostic Mandaean sect, John was the true Messiah (and Jesus a false prophet who misused John's secret teachings).
John's feast day is unusual in the Church, which usually honors Saints on their day of death; John's day is considered his nativity. Many have pointed out that the assignment of John's nativity to the Summer Solstice and Jesus' to the Winter Solstice are not coincidental, but a link to ancient sun worship.

A curious reference to this solar symbolism can be found in the NT gospel of John, where the Baptists says, "He must increase, but I must decrease." This is seen as a reference to the waning summer sun.

The Feast of John is also an important Holy Day in the Voodoo religion. John's feast is also a major day of celebration in Freemasonry.