The Orthodox Church commemorates today 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, such as Prophets Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi did. He was given the name “Malachi” – which in Greek means an angel – because an Angel of the Lord told the people that his prophecy would come true. The angel could only be seen by true believers and not by those who were challenging the words f the Prophet.
The Prophet was pious and rightful. He proved his righteousness when he challenged priests, who were disrespectful, and the people of Israel.
He also foretold the coming of John the Forerunner, who later baptized Christ. The Prophet Malachi reposed in the Lord peacefully, relatively young, and was buried in Jerusalem.
Source: Church of Cyprus
