São João Festival In Goa
''San Juanv'' or ''São João'' is an annual Catholic religious festival celebrated on 24th June in Goa, India. According to tradition, after attending Mass in the Catholic Church, Mass, young Goan Catholic men leap into and swim in local wells, streams, and ponds as a tribute to Saint John the Baptist. Background The feast of ''São João'' is a celebration of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, birth anniversary of Saint John the Baptist. Saint John was the son of Elizabeth (biblical figure), Saint Elizabeth, a relative of Mary, mother of Jesus. One day, when Mary visited Elizabeth, the baby Saint John 'leapt' in her womb upon hearing Mary's greeting.() When Jesus was thirty years old, he was baptised by Saint John in the Jordan River. The Nativity of John the Baptist is known to be one of the oldest festivals of the Christian church, and records show that it was celebrated as a big feast in 506 AD. The feast of ''São João'' in Goa coincides with the time of the year ...
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