February 8
Reading:
The Prophet Zacharias was the son of Barachias, and a
contemporary of the Prophet Aggeus (Dec. 16). In the days of the
Babylonian captivity, he prophesied, as it says, in the book of Ezra,
"to the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem" (Ezra 5: 1); he aided
Zerubbabel in the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. In the book of
Ezra he is called "Zacharias the son of Addo (or Iddo)" but in his own
prophetic book he is called more fully "Zacharias, the son of Barachias,
the son of Addo the Prophet" (Zach. 1:1). When the captives returned
from Babylon, he came to dwell in Jerusalem in his old age. His book of
prophecy is divided into fourteen chapters and has the eleventh place
among the books of the minor Prophets; his name means "Yah is renowned."
Sozomen reports that under the Emperor Honorius, Zacharias' holy relics
were found in Eleutheropolis of Palestine. The Prophet appeared in a
dream to a certain Calemerus, telling him where he would find his tomb.
His body was found to be incorrupt (Eccl. Hist., Book IX, 17).
Apolytikion in the Second Tone
As we celebrate the memory of Thy Prophet Zacharias, O Lord, through him we beseech Thee to save our souls.
Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
As a brightly-shining lamp that was illumined with the Spirit's
fiery beams, O Zacharias most renowned, thou didst prefigure with
clarity the Savior's great and untold condescension toward us.
SOURCE:
SAINT OR FEAST POSTED THIS DATE 2013(with 2012's link here also and further, 2011, 2010, 2009 and even 2008!)
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