Nativity of John the Baptisttranslated

Every year on July 7, the Orthodox Church celebrates the Nativity of the honest, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord John. The events of this holiday are described in detail in the Holy Gospel of Luke.

The parents of the future prophet - the priest Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth - lived to a ripe old age, but remained childless. In ancient Judea, infertility was considered God's punishment and caused public censure.

One day, when the priest Zechariah was performing a service in the temple, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to him and announced the imminent birth of a son who “will be great before the Lord” (Luke 1:15). The righteous elder could not believe that elderly people could give birth to a child, and asked the messenger of God for a sign. After this request, Zechariah was struck dumb until the fulfillment of the said prophecy.

The time has come, and according to the word of Archangel Gabriel, the first child was born to the elderly couple. Relatives wanted to name him by his father’s name – Zacharias.  However, righteous Elizabeth insisted on the name John, which means “Grace of God.” The mute father confirmed this decision by writing on the tablet: “His name is John,” and again regained the power of speech.

The Nativity of John the Baptist is not just a church holiday and...