John and the Desert

Quid ille quo major inter natos mulierum non surrexit; nonne in deserto clamans, in deserto vivebat? In deserto ab hoc baptismus traditur, in deserto poenitentia praedicatur, in deserto primum mentio regni coelestis infertur. Ibi haec ille audientibus primus ingessit, ubi haec citius ambiens quisque promeruit. Nec immerito futurus hic arduus deserti habitator, ante faciem Domini angelus mittitur, viam reserat in coeleste regnum, et praecursor et testis dignus qui Patrem e coelo loquentem audiret, Filium baptizando contingeret. Spiritum sanctum descendentem videret. Sanctus Eucherius Lugdunensis, De Laude Eremi Source: Migne PL 50.706a-b

What of that man compared to whom none greater has risen up among those born of women, 1 was he not one crying out in the desert, and one lived in the desert? 2 In the desert baptism is given by him, in the desert he preaches penance, in the desert the first mention of the kingdom of heaven arises. There he first announces it to those there to hear, there where that which surrounds anyone may swiftly gain. Not without cause will he be a hardy dweller in the desert, he who is sent as a messenger before the face of the Lord, he who opens the way into the kingdom of heaven, he who is a worthy forerunner and witness, he who heard the Father speaking from heaven, he who baptized the Son, he who saw the Holy Spirit descending. Saint Eucherius of Lyon, In Praise of the Desert 1 Mt 11.11 2 Mt 3.3