In Christian tradition, St John the Baptist plays an important role as a linkman in the transition from the Old to the New Testament. Unlike other saints, who are celebrated on the day of their death, John the Baptist is honored on his birthday, which according to the liturgical calendar is on the 24th of June.

According to folk belief, this is the time of the summer solstice, which actually occurs on the 21st of June, and since ancient times has marked an important milestone, a transition to a new era. The feast of St John the Baptist used to be a major one. Until the First World War, certain tasks were not allowed to be carried out on this day, or work was stopped altogether.

St John the Baptist as a personality does not have a major role in Slovene culture. In some parts of the country he is seen as a protector from lightning and hail, and is also the patron saint of tailors, shepherds and masons. His name and all its derivatives however are extremely popular among the people: Jan, Žan, Anže, Ivan, Janko, Janoš, Vanja, Džoni. Janez is still the second most common slovene name. In the republics of the former Yugoslavia, the term ''Kranjski Janez'' was synonymous with someone from Slovenia.

Maribor's parish church has been dedicated to John the Baptist from the 13th century on. In 1859, when Bishop Slomšek transferred the seat of the diocese to Maribor, it became the bishop's church or cathedral. Since the end of the 13th century, the coat of arms of Maribor has also featured a dove, the bird found in the scene of John the Baptist baptising Jesus in the river Jordan.