June 24/July 7 – Nativity of the Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord John.translated

As the Gospel narrates (Luke 1:57 - 80), the righteous parents of Saint John the Baptist - the priest Zechariah and Elizabeth, who lived in the ancient city of Hebron, reached old age, but did not have children, since Elizabeth was barren. One day Saint Zechariah was performing a divine service in the Jerusalem Temple and saw the Archangel Gabriel standing on the right side of the altar of incense. He predicted that Zechariah would have a son who would be the herald of the Savior expected by the Old Testament Church - the Messiah. Zechariah was embarrassed and fear came over him. He doubted that it was possible to have a son in old age and asked for a sign. It was given to him, being at the same time a punishment for unbelief: Zechariah was struck dumb until the time the words of the Archangel were fulfilled.

Saint Elizabeth conceived and, fearing ridicule for her late pregnancy, hid for five months until the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, who was her distant relative, visited her to share her and her joy. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, was the first to greet the Virgin Mary as the Mother of God. Together with her, the Most Holy Virgin Mary and the Son of God incarnate in Her were greeted by “playing like songs” and Saint John, who was still in his mother’s womb...