By Bishop Grigorios of Mesaoria
The Orthodox Church commemorates today the Holy Prophet Malachi and Martyr Gordius.
The Holy Prophet Malachi is one of the 12 Old Testament prophets. He descended from the Tribe of Levi at the time of the return of the Jews from the Babylonian Captivity.
According to the Book of Nehemiah, he lived around the 5th century BC and had been working in Jerusalem, as Prophets Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi did. He was given the name “Malachi” – which in Greek means “angel” – because an Angel of the Lord told people that his prophecy would come true. The Angel could only be seen by true believers and not by those who were denying the words of the Prophet.
The Prophet was pious and rightful. He proved his righteousness when he challenged some priests, who were disrespectful, and the people of Israel. He also foretold the coming of John the Forerunner, who later baptised Christ. The Holy Prophet Malachi fell asleep in the Lord relatively young and was buried in Jerusalem.
Source: Church of Cyprus