By Bishop Gregorios of Mesaoria
Our Church celebrates today the memory of Prophet Zachariah.
The Holy Prophet Zachariah was a priest and was married to Elizabeth, but they had no children. Once, during his turn of priestly service in the temple, Archangel Gabriel revealed to him and said that his wife would give birth to a son, whom he was to name John.
Zachariah did not believe that this prediction would come true because of their advanced age. Then the angel told him that “not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed.” (Luke 1:18–22)
In fact, Elizabeth gave birth to a boy.
As soon as the infant was given the name John, he regained the power of speech and blessed the Lord This gift was given by God to Zachariah, because he was righteous, free from all serious guilt, and lived according to the commandments of the Lord.
The son of the Holy Prophet Zachariah, John, is the first of the Prophets, Baptist and Forerunner of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We pray and thank Jesus Christ the Redeemer for the pleasant and unpleasant events in our life, always with patience and faith in His will, and the intercession of the Holy Prophet Zachariah, the Righteous Elizabeth, and their son, Saint John the Baptist.
SOURCE: Church of Cyprus
