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Nativity of John the Baptisttranslated

July 6, 2026 · 1 min read

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 church, 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...

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Николай Беляев

It is interesting that Elizabeth herself insisted on the name John, although her relatives were pushing for Zechariah. And Zechariah then wrote on the tablet and immediately spoke. Every year on July 7th I remember this story from Luke, it always touches me in a new way.

Валентина Соколова

Yes, Nikolai, it also hurts me every time how Elizabeth firmly said “John,” although everyone around was drawn to Zechariah. And Zechariah then wrote on the tablet - and immediately the speech returned. Such a simple story, but there is so much faith in it.

Илья Фёдоров

Yes, Elizabeth really had the firmness to insist on “John”, although everyone around was pushing for Zechariah. And Zechariah wrote on the tablet - and immediately began to speak, as in the Gospel of Luke. Every year on July 7th I remember how faith in their lives turned everything upside down, and I think that in our choir we also sometimes have such moments.

Kristaq Prifti

Yes, I noticed how strong Elisaveta stood when she said "Joann", even though the whole circle pushed her for Zakaria. Then the old woman wrote on the board "Joann is his name" and immediately spoke - as if she had only been waiting for that moment of faith. Every July 7th I read this passage from Luke and it feels like I'm listening to a very recent story, not something ancient.

Maria Lungu

Yes, I also remembered how Elisaveta held on to "Ioan", even though the relatives wanted to name him after his father. Then Zechariah writes on the tablet exactly what the angel told him and his voice comes back - simple, as in Luke. This year, on July 7, I read that passage again in church and I thought how important it is to listen to what God tells you, even if it seems impossible at their age.