Sts. Zechariah and Elizabeth

Saints Zechariah and Elizabeth were a devout Jewish couple mentioned in the Gospel of Luke. Zechariah was a priest, and Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron. They were righteous before God, but childless. An angel appeared to Zechariah, announcing that Elizabeth would bear a son, who would become John the Baptist, the precursor to Jesus Christ. Zechariah doubted the message and was struck mute until the birth of their son. After John's birth, Zechariah's speech was restored, and he praised God. Zechariah and Elizabeth are venerated as the parents of John the Baptist, and they are the patrons of those who are childless.