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This Roman church is said to have the decapitated head of St. John the Baptist, which is purported to have been taken from his body that was brought to Sebastia by his disciples. The belief is rooted in tradition as it's believed that Herodias, wife of King Herod Antipas, had requested for the prophet’s head on a platter. As she feared he might be resurrected if his body and head were interred together, some think this could explain why there are different accounts surrounding what happened to John's head afterwards. This Roman church however is one of many claiming they possess the sacred relic, as there are similar stories about a French church, Syrian mosque and German museum.