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St Zacharias the Priest
(1st century)

Biographical

The father of John the Baptist, Zacharias was was of the course of Abia or Abijah, the eighth in order of the priestly courses as arranged by David for ministering at the tabernacle or temple, and is described as one of the best representatives of the priestly order, walking, along with his wife Elizabeth, 'in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. When the angel Gabriel appeared to him in the Temple and promised him a son, instructing him to name him 'John', he was incredulous and asked a sign; in punishment for his unbelief he was stricken with dumbness for a season.

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