St. John the Forerunner: The Wild Flower that adorns the World

St. John the Forerunner (source)

  
Behind the Prophet, see the ascetic.
Behind the Baptist, see the virgin.
Behind the Great, see the humble.
Behind the Saint, see John.
Behind every Saint of the Church, there is a whole life of struggles, efforts, tears. There is hidden a life of prayer and asceticism, simplicity and obscurity.
It is not that which we know of St. John the Baptist and the Forerunner of our Lord. It is that which we do not know about him that contributes to making him Great before men and Saints. It is all that our Triune God knows of him.
This fascinates me about St. John...that he is an incredible wild flower that adorns the world, and that the world does not know...
-by Fr. Pavlos Papadopoulos
  
(source)
  

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!