John the Baptist

John the Baptist, son of a Levite, a member of the priestly class, walks away from his father's traditions and begins to proclaim the coming of the Messiah, baptizing new followers and urging them to repent. He even baptizes Jesus, and recognizes that he is the fulfillment of the prophecy. When John  publicly decries Antipas for stealing his brother's wife and marrying her, a grave sin in Jewish tradition, he is arrested and imprisoned. Antipas' wife and step-daughter, Herodias and Salome, are scandalized by the accusation and want him executed, but Antipas will not order his death. Until a feast is thrown in Antipas' honor and beautiful young Salome does a dance so enrapturing that Antipas says he'll grant her anything she wishes. The young princess asks for the head of John the Baptist on a platter. John the Baptist was the voice crying out in the wilderness, the one who made the path straight and prepared the way for Jesus. Today, he is the patron saint of converts.