Zechariah

Saint Zechariah is commonly identified as the father of John the Baptist and the husband of Saint Elizabeth. According to the Gospel of Luke, he was a priest in the division of Abijah who received a message from the Archangel Gabriel foretelling the birth of his son. Zechariah initially doubted the message and was rendered mute until the prophecy was fulfilled. His story exemplifies faith, obedience, and the fulfillment of God’s promises. He is venerated as a saint in both the Roman Catholic and Orthodox traditions.