Icon of Zacharias the Prophet – (Father of Saint John the Baptist) – P79

Description

The Prophet Zacharias was the son of Barachias, a priest of the Old Testament.  Zachariah in Hebrew means “God has remembered.”  Zacharias married Saint Elizabeth, who was of the descendants of Aaron, and the sister of Saint Anna, the mother of the Theotokos Virgin Mary.   Zacharias and Elizabeth were righteous, and married for many years sorrowing in not having any children. 

The Prophet Zacharias was a priest of the division of Abia, and once when serving in the Temple offering incense, he saw the great Archangel Gabriel standing on the right of the altar.  The Archangel told him that his wife would conceive in her old age, and bring forth a son named John.   The Prophet did not believe him, and was then struck dumb for his disbelief.  In due time this word was fulfilled and Zacharias’ tongue was loosed from its fetters.

Then King Herod sent soldiers to find and kill the Child told him by the Magi.  To insure this they were told to kill all of the young children near Bethlehem two years or younger, and especially to kill the young John.  Zacharias refused to tell them where his son was, so was killed instead between the Temple and the altar.