St. Zechariah and St. Elizabeth – Parents of John the Baptist and Saints of Faith

ST. ZECHARIAH AND ELIZABETH

St. Zechariah and St. Elizabeth, the parents of John the Baptist, were a devout and righteous couple who trusted in God's promises and played a key role in the divine plan of salvation.

St. Zechariah and St. Elizabeth were a devout Jewish couple living during the first century BC in Judea. Both came from priestly lineage—Zechariah being a priest of the division of Abijah, and Elizabeth a descendant of Aaron. Their lives and legacy are chronicled in the Gospel of Luke, where they are described as “righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord.”

Despite their faithfulness, the couple lived with the sorrow of childlessness, as Elizabeth was barren and they were both advanced in age. However, their fidelity never wavered, and in due time, they were chosen by God to be the parents of the greatest of the prophets, John the Baptist.

According to the Gospel account, while Zechariah was offering incense in the Temple—a sacred duty assigned by lot to priests—he was visited by the Angel Gabriel. The angel announced that Elizabeth would bear a son who was to be named John. Zechariah doubted the message due to their old age and was struck mute until the child’s birth. Elizabeth, filled with gratitude, rejoiced in the Lord’s mercy and later welcomed the Virgin Mary into her home during the Visitation, where her unborn child leapt in her womb at Mary’s greeting—an event rich with theological significance.

Zechariah’s canticle, the Benedictus, spoken at the birth of his son after his speech was restored, became one of the most treasured hymns in Christian liturgy, proclaiming the fulfillment of God’s promises and the coming of the Messiah.

The deaths of Zechariah and Elizabeth are not recorded in Scripture, but Christian tradition holds that they died sometime after John’s early years. They are honored not only for their parental role but also for their profound faith, humility, and cooperation in the divine plan of redemption.

They were canonized in the early Church by popular acclaim, as was customary before the formal canonization process.

Feast Day

23-9-

Birth Date

--1st century

Died Date

--1st century

Canonised Date

--N/A

near Jerusalem

Sts. Zechariah and Elizabeth, Faithful servants of God, Pray for us to trust in His divine plan. Help us to live with patience and devotion, And to walk in righteousness before the Lord. Amen.
ST. ZECHARIAH AND ELIZABETH

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ST. ZECHARIAH AND ELIZABETH

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Credits & Acknowledgments

Anudina Visudhar (Malayalam) – Life of Saints for Everyday
by Msgr. Thomas Moothedan, M.A., D.D.
Saint Companions for Each Day
by A. J. M. Mausolfe & J. K. Mausolfe
US Catholic (Faith in Real Life) – Informational articles
Wikipedia – General reference content and images
Anastpaul.com – Saint images and reflections
Pravachaka Sabdam (Malayalam) – Saint-related content and insights

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