St. Zechariah, father of John the Baptist
Feast 09-05 · Canonized Pre-Congregation
Patron of
About
Zechariah, a priest of the division of Abijah among the sons of Aaron, is honored in the Gospel of Luke as the father of John the Baptist. While offering incense in the sanctuary, the angel Gabriel appeared to him and announced that his wife Elizabeth would bear a son in her old age, whose name would be John.
Because he doubted the angel's word, Zechariah was struck mute until the day of his son's circumcision, when he wrote, "His name is John," and at once his tongue was loosed and he prophesied the Benedictus, blessing the God of Israel. His song has become part of the Church's morning prayer.
Zechariah and Elizabeth are remembered as righteous before God. His feast with Elizabeth is kept on September 5, and he is invoked as a patron of fathers and of priests.
Suggested prayer
O God, who made Zechariah fruitful in his old age and loosed his tongue to prophesy of your coming redemption, grant through his intercession that fathers may guide their children in holiness and priests may proclaim your praise with joyful hearts. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
