Righteous Zechariah and Elizabeth. Holy Prophet Zechariah and Holy Righteous Elizabeth

Image No. 5995 (20.5X52 cm. Wood, tempera, gilding with carvings.)

(21X28 cm. Wood, gesso, pavoloka, tempera, gilding.)

(20.5X50 cm. Wood, gesso, pavolok, oil, gilding.)

(15X20 cm. Wood, gesso, pavoloka, tempera, gilding.) The holy parents of John the Baptist, Zacharias and Elizabeth, did not have children for a long time, but they persistently prayed to the Lord to give them a child, after which, in their old age, they had a son - a great saint. Childless couples who want to have children pray to the saints. In Rus', the iconography of the Kissing of Zechariah and Elizabeth or the Conception of John the Baptist, where the saints are depicted reverently touching each other against an architectural background, has become widespread. Such an icon will become a good gift for a family wanting to have children.

Measuring icon(20.5X50 cm. Wood, gesso, pavoloka, tempera, gilding.)

(10.5X13 cm. Wood, gesso, pavoloka, tempera, gilding.)

The icon depicts: St. Demetrius of Rostov, Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir, Holy Righteous Elizabeth, St. Alexy the Man of God, Holy Martyr Tatiana, St. righteous Anna, holy Mary Equal to the Apostles Magdalene, Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Queen Helen, Holy Martyr. young lady Love, holy vmts. Anastasia the Pattern Maker, holy torment. Christina of Tyre and the blessing Lord Almighty. (30X40 cm. Wood, gesso, pavolok, tempera, gilding.)

Elizabeth the Righteous, Palestine (mother of John the Baptist)

Memorial Day: September 18

(new style)

The holy prophet Zechariah and the holy righteous Elizabeth were the parents of the holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord John. They came from the Aaronic family: Saint Zechariah, son of Barachiah, was a priest in the Jerusalem Temple, and Saint Elizabeth was the sister of Saint Anna, the mother of the Most Holy Theotokos. The righteous spouses, “walking blamelessly according to all the commandments of the Lord” (Luke 1:5-25), suffered from infertility, which was considered in Old Testament times to be a great punishment from God. One day, while serving in the temple, Saint Zechariah received news from an Angel that his elderly wife would bear him a son, who “will be great before the Lord” (Luke 1:15) and “will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1 , 17). Zechariah doubted the possibility of fulfilling this prediction and was punished with muteness for his lack of faith. When righteous Elizabeth had a son, she, at the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, announced that she would name the baby John, although no one in their family had been given such a name before. They asked the righteous Zechariah, and he also wrote the name John on the tablet. Immediately the gift of speech returned to him, and he, filled with the Holy Spirit, began to prophesy about his son as the Forerunner of the Lord.
When the wicked King Herod heard from the Magi about the born Messiah, he decided to beat all babies under the age of 2 in Bethlehem and its environs, hoping that the born Messiah would be among them. Herod knew well about the unusual birth of the prophet John and wanted to kill him, fearing that he was the King of the Jews. But righteous Elizabeth hid with the baby in the mountains. The killers looked everywhere for John. Righteous Elizabeth, seeing her pursuers, with tears began to pray to God for salvation, and immediately the mountain parted and sheltered her and the baby from the pursuit. During these disastrous days, Saint Zechariah fulfilled his turn of service in the Jerusalem Temple. The soldiers sent by Herod tried in vain to find out from him where his son was. Then, at the command of Herod, they killed the holy prophet, stabbing him between the altar and the altar (Matthew 23:35). Righteous Elizabeth died 40 days after her husband, and Saint John, protected by the Lord, remained in the desert until the day of his appearance to the people of Israel.

The holy prophet Zechariah and the holy righteous Elizabeth were the parents of the holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord John. They came from the Aaronic family: Saint Zechariah, son of Barachiah, was a priest in the Jerusalem Temple, and Saint Elizabeth was the sister of Saint Anna, the mother of the Most Holy Theotokos.

The righteous spouses, “walking blamelessly according to all the commandments of the Lord” (Luke 1:5-25), suffered from infertility, which in Old Testament times was considered a great punishment from God. One day, while serving in the temple, Saint Zechariah received news from an Angel that his elderly wife would bear him a son, who “will be great before the Lord” (Luke 1:15) and “will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1 , 17).

Zechariah doubted the possibility of fulfilling this prediction and was punished with muteness for his lack of faith.

When righteous Elizabeth had a son, she, at the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, announced that she would name the baby John, although no one in their family had been given such a name before. They asked the righteous Zechariah, and he also wrote the name John on the tablet. Immediately the gift of speech returned to him, and he, filled with the Holy Spirit, began to prophesy about his son as the Forerunner of the Lord.

Holy Righteous Elizabeth

When the wicked King Herod heard from the Magi about the born Messiah, he decided to beat all babies under the age of 2 in Bethlehem and its environs, hoping that the born Messiah would be among them. Herod knew well about the unusual birth of the prophet John and wanted to kill him, fearing that he was the King of the Jews. But righteous Elizabeth hid with the baby in the mountains.

The killers looked everywhere for John. Righteous Elizabeth, seeing her pursuers, with tears began to pray to God for salvation, and immediately the mountain parted and sheltered her and the baby from the pursuit. During these disastrous days, Saint Zechariah fulfilled his turn of service in the Jerusalem Temple. The soldiers sent by Herod tried in vain to find out from him where his son was. Then, at the command of Herod, they killed the holy prophet, stabbing him between the altar and the altar (Matthew 23:35).

Righteous Elizabeth died 40 days after her husband, and Saint John, protected by the Lord, remained in the desert until the day of his appearance to the people of Israel.

Troparion, tone 2
Your righteous Zechariah and Elizabeth, O Lord, we celebrate your memory; with these we pray to You: save our souls.

Troparion to the Holy Prophet Zechariah, tone 4
You were clothed with the garments of the priesthood, in wisdom, according to the law of God, you offered burnt offerings in a sacred manner, Zechariah, and you were a lamp and a spectator of secrets, bearing signs of grace in you clearly, in all wisdom, and you were killed with a sword in the temple of God, the prophet of Christ, with the Forerunner pray for the salvation of souls ours.

Kontakion to the Holy Prophet Zechariah, tone 3
Today the prophet and priest of the Most High, Zechariah, offer, the Forerunner parent, a meal of his memory, feeding faithfully, dissolving the drink of righteousness to everyone, for this sake he dies, like the Divine secret place of God’s grace.

Kontakion of the Righteous Elizabeth, Tone 4
Like the moon is full, you received the Light of Truth from the Mental Sun of the Messiah, and you walked with Zechariah in all the commandments of the Lord, God-beloved Elizabeth. We magnify the Lord with songs worthy of you, pleasingly, the All-Bountiful Light, enlightening everyone..

Prayer to the saints and righteous prophets Zechariah and Elizabeth

About the greatness of Christ's righteous women, Saints Zechariah and Elizabeth! We resort to you and pray to you with great hope: bring your holy prayers to the Lord for us sinners, may He send all that is beneficial to our souls and bodies, rightful faith, unfeigned love, prosperity in good deeds, health and eternal salvation to our souls and bodies. Do not despise our prayers offered to you with tenderness, but be our intercessor to the Lord, so that through your help we may be worthy to receive eternal salvation, to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven and, together with you and all the saints, to glorify the ineffable love for mankind of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, in the Trinity we worship God, in forever and ever. Amen.

Life

The holy prophet Zechariah and the holy righteous Elizabeth were the parents of the holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord John. They came from the Aaronic family: Saint Zechariah, son of Barachiah, was a priest in the Jerusalem Temple, and Saint Elizabeth was the sister of Saint Anna, the mother of the Most Holy Theotokos. The righteous spouses, “walking blamelessly according to all the commandments of the Lord” (Luke 1:5-25), suffered from infertility, which was considered in Old Testament times to be a great punishment from God. One day, while serving in the temple, Saint Zechariah received news from an Angel that his elderly wife would bear him a son, who “will be great before the Lord” (Luke 1:15) and “will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1 , 17). Zechariah doubted the possibility of fulfilling this prediction and was punished with muteness for his lack of faith. When righteous Elizabeth had a son, she, at the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, announced that she would name the baby John, although no one in their family had been given such a name before. They asked the righteous Zechariah, and he also wrote the name John on the tablet. Immediately the gift of speech returned to him, and he, filled with the Holy Spirit, began to prophesy about his son as the Forerunner of the Lord.

When the wicked King Herod heard from the Magi about the born Messiah, he decided to beat all babies under the age of 2 in Bethlehem and its environs, hoping that the born Messiah would be among them. Herod knew well about the unusual birth of the prophet John and wanted to kill him, fearing that he was the King of the Jews. But righteous Elizabeth hid with the baby in the mountains. The killers looked everywhere for John. Righteous Elizabeth, seeing her pursuers, with tears began to pray to God for salvation, and immediately the mountain parted and sheltered her and the baby from the pursuit. During these disastrous days, Saint Zechariah fulfilled his turn of service in the Jerusalem Temple. The soldiers sent by Herod tried in vain to find out from him where his son was. Then, at the command of Herod, they killed the holy prophet, stabbing him between the altar and the altar (Matthew 23:35). Righteous Elizabeth died 40 days after her husband, and Saint John, protected by the Lord, remained in the desert until the day of his appearance to the people of Israel.

Memory holy righteous Zechariah and Elizabeth, parents of John the Baptist, takes place in Orthodox Church September 18, new style.

The Lives of the Righteous Zechariah and Elizabeth
The holy righteous Zechariah and Elizabeth were the parents of John the Baptist. It is known about Zechariah that he was from the Aron family and was one of the priests of the Jerusalem Temple. Evangelist Luke tells in detail how Zechariah, during his priestly service, was honored with the appearance of the Archangel Gabriel, and he told him the good news about the birth of his son soon. The priest could not believe this, since he himself and his wife Elizabeth were already of advanced age: then Gabriel deprives him of the ability to speak for unbelief until the prediction comes true.
Righteous Elizabeth was a relative of the Virgin Mary and also came from the family of David. Soon after the appearance of Archangel Gabriel to Zechariah, Elizabeth conceived, although she was already an elderly woman. The Gospel of Luke tells how she was visited during pregnancy by the Virgin Mary, who was also awaiting the birth of the Divine Son. When Holy Mother of God met with Elizabeth, then she, still not knowing anything about this great event, glorified in prophetic inspiration future Mother Savior of the world.
When Elizabeth’s son was born after the allotted time and they wanted to circumcise him according to Jewish custom on the eighth day, she wanted to name him John. This caused bewilderment among those around him, because Zechariah’s family did not have such a name. Therefore, they began to ask Zechariah by signs to name the name, and he also wrote the name John. At that moment, the gift of speech returned to him and he glorified God and prophesied about the coming Savior.
We learn further information about the life of the righteous spouses from church tradition, according to which Elizabeth hid with her son in the desert during the massacre of the infants. At this time, Zechariah served in the temple and, when he refused to reveal where his son John was, he was killed.

Iconographic images of Zechariah and Elizabeth
There are several iconographic scenes based on the lives of Saints Zechariah and Elizabeth. In Russian icon painting, there was a widespread image called “The Conception of John the Baptist,” in which the holy spouses were depicted against the background of the temple in each other’s arms. Also known are frescoes telling about different episodes in the lives of Zechariah and Elizabeth: the moment of the appearance of the Archangel Gabriel, the couple praying for the gift of a child, as well as Elizabeth with the baby John in the desert.

In what cases do they pray to the righteous Zechariah and Elizabeth?
From the lives of the holy spouses it is known that they for a long time were childless, and the Jews considered this a punishment from God. The birth of a son in old age can be considered a miracle, and therefore childless spouses often turn to Saints Zechariah and Elizabeth with a request for healing from infertility. They also pray to the righteous Elizabeth in case of difficult pregnancy or childbirth. The holy righteous Zechariah and Elizabeth are an example of a marital union sanctified by God's grace. You can turn to such righteous people for help in strengthening love between spouses, as well as between parents and children, and ask for the gift of patience during sorrowful life circumstances. Saint Elizabeth was forced to hide with her son in the deserted desert in order to save his life. IN modern conditions Raising the younger generation also, in a sense, mothers have to protect their children from the harmful influence of the surrounding temptations of the outside world in order to preserve the spiritual life of their souls. In this matter, faithful intercessors and prayer books are such righteous people as Saints Zechariah and Elizabeth.

Troparion, tone 2:
We celebrate Your righteous Zechariah and Elizabeth, O Lord, in memory of those we pray to You: save our souls.

Kontakion to the Holy Prophet Zechariah, tone 3:
Today the prophet and priest of the Most High, Zechariah, offer, the Forerunner parent, a meal of his memory, feeding faithfully, dissolving the drink of righteousness to everyone, for this sake he dies, like the Divine secret place of God’s grace.

Kontakion of the Righteous Elizabeth, Tone 4
Like the moon is full, you received the Light of Truth from the Mental Sun of the Messiah, and you walked with Zechariah in all the commandments of the Lord, God-beloved Elizabeth. We magnify the Lord with worthy songs to please you, the All-Bounteous Light that enlightens everyone.

Magnification:
We magnify you, holy righteous Zechariah and Elizabeth,/ and honor your holy memory,/ for you pray for us to Christ our God.

Prayer:
O holy saints of God, prophet Zechariah and righteous Elizabeth! Having fought a good fight on earth, we have naturally received in heaven the crown of righteousness, which the Lord has prepared for all who love Him. In the same way, looking at your holy image, we rejoice at the glorious end of your life and honor your holy memory. You, standing before the Throne of God, accept our prayers and bring them to the All-Merciful God, to forgive us every sin and help us against the wiles of the devil, so that, having been delivered from sorrows, illnesses, troubles and misfortunes and all evil, we will live piously and righteously in the present We will be worthy, through your intercession, even though we are unworthy, to see good on the land of the living, glorifying the One in His saints, the glorified God, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.