Saints Zachary and Elizabeth

Saints Zachary and Elizabeth were the parents of John the Baptist. They are known for their faith and their role in God’s plan. They lived at a time when people were waiting for the Messiah. Though they are not as well-known as others in the Bible, their story is full of quiet strength.

Zachary is also called Zechariah. They were a married couple who served God with their whole lives.

They were both part of Israel’s priestly families. Zachary served as a priest in the temple. Elizabeth was also from the line of Aaron, the first priest of Israel. Together, they lived a life of prayer, obedience, and trust.

The Bible tells us that they were righteous. That means they followed God’s ways and did not give in to sin. But they were also sad. They had no children, and they were old. In their time, people believed that having no children was a shame.

Still, they kept praying. They did not stop trusting God, even though they didn’t understand why their prayer had not been answered. God had a plan for them that they could not yet see.

Zachary had an important job. As a priest, he worked in the temple in Jerusalem. The temple was the most holy place for the Jewish people. It was where they worshipped God and offered sacrifices.

Priests took turns serving in the temple. When it was Zachary’s turn, he would leave home and stay in Jerusalem. One day, while he was offering incense inside the temple, something unexpected happened.

Elizabeth also served in her own quiet way. She lived in the hill country and supported her husband. She lived a simple life of faith and prayer. Even without children, she stayed faithful to God.

The Bible says that both Zachary and Elizabeth were “upright before God.” That means they tried to live good and holy lives. They were not rich or famous. But they were close to God in a way that matters most.

Their faith was not loud. It was steady. They did not stop loving God, even when they were disappointed. Their example shows us how strong quiet faith can be.

One day, while Zachary was serving in the temple, he went inside to offer incense. This was a holy act, done in silence and prayer. Only one priest could enter that part of the temple at a time.

While he was alone, an angel appeared. It was the angel Gabriel. Gabriel told Zachary that his prayer had been heard. His wife Elizabeth would have a son. They were to name him John.

Gabriel said that John would be great in God’s eyes. He would prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. This was big news. Zachary had waited so long for a child, and now he was being told that this child would have a special mission.

But Zachary doubted. He asked how this could be, since he and his wife were old. Because of his doubt, Gabriel told him that he would not be able to speak until the child was born.

Zachary came out of the temple and could not say a word. The people waiting outside knew something special had happened. Zachary stayed silent, but his heart was full of wonder and awe.

Soon after this, Elizabeth became pregnant, just as the angel had said. She stayed in seclusion for several months. She gave thanks to God for removing her shame and filling her with joy.

Not long after that, Mary came to visit her. Mary was pregnant with Jesus. When Mary greeted Elizabeth, the baby inside Elizabeth leaped with joy. That baby was John the Baptist.

Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She praised Mary and called her “the mother of my Lord.” She was the first person in the Bible to call Jesus “Lord” before he was born.

When John was born, the neighbors and family wanted to name him after his father. But Elizabeth said, “His name is John.” The people were surprised. They asked Zachary. He wrote on a tablet, “His name is John.”

At that moment, Zachary could speak again. He began to praise God. He spoke a prayer called the Benedictus, which is still prayed in the Church every morning. He gave thanks for the child and for God’s mercy.

Zachary and Elizabeth waited a long time for their prayer to be answered. Even when they were old, they did not give up. They stayed faithful, and they trusted God’s plan.

Their story reminds us that God hears our prayers, even when the answer takes a long time. It also shows us that God’s plans are often bigger than our own.

Zachary’s silence was not a punishment. It was a time of quiet learning. He came out of that time with a stronger faith. Elizabeth’s joy came after many quiet years of sadness and waiting.

Their son John became a great prophet. He prepared the way for Jesus. But that mission started with two quiet parents who were faithful in their small, daily lives.

Their example helps us stay strong when we feel forgotten or discouraged. God sees us. God remembers. Zachary and Elizabeth lived in that truth.

The Church honors Saints Zachary and Elizabeth as holy people. They are remembered for their faith, their patience, and their love for God.

Their feast day is celebrated on September 23 in the Roman Martyrology. It is a day to honor their trust in God and their place in the story of salvation.

They are patrons for those who are waiting—especially couples who long for children, or those who feel their prayers are unanswered. They show us that God works in quiet ways.

Zachary and Elizabeth were not loud leaders. They were quiet people who believed. They remind us that even small acts of faith can be part of something much bigger.

Their story leads us to hope. Their example helps us remember that God’s timing is always right, and His promises never fail.

They were both very old. Like “past baby age by a lot” old.

They had no children, which made them sad—but they stayed faithful and prayed anyway.

Zachary (also called Zechariah) was a priest. His job included offering incense in the Temple.

One day, while he was doing that, an angel showed up. Not just any angel—Gabriel!

Gabriel said, “You’re going to have a son!” Zachary basically said, “Uh… how?”

Bad move. Gabriel didn’t like being doubted. He said, “You’ll be silent until the baby is born.”

So Zachary walked out of the Temple, couldn’t talk, and had to pantomime everything for months. Holy charades!

Elizabeth, on the other hand, believed the news and stayed joyful—even with swollen ankles.

She stayed in hiding for five months. People were probably shocked when she finally waddled into town.

Her cousin Mary came to visit, already pregnant with Jesus. The moment Mary said hello, baby John leaped in Elizabeth’s womb.

Elizabeth shouted, “Blessed are you!” and became the first person to recognize Mary as the mother of the Lord.

Meanwhile, Zachary still couldn’t talk. Probably nodding a lot.

When the baby was born, everyone expected him to be named after his dad.

Elizabeth said, “Nope. His name is John.” People didn’t believe her.

So they asked Zachary. He wrote, “His name is John.” Boom—he could speak again!

He immediately praised God with a long prayer, called the Benedictus. Definitely had a lot saved up.

Their son grew up to be John the Baptist—wild hair, camel clothes, and preaching in the desert.

Elizabeth is considered a saintly example of hope, especially for women who long for children.

Zachary is a patron saint of people who can’t speak, and also for old dads who get surprise babies.

Their symbols are a writing tablet (for Zachary), and a pregnant woman with a halo (for Elizabeth).

They remind us that God’s timing is weird but always right—and that silence can lead to something beautiful.

Want to hear more about their son John the Baptist next?