The Evangelist Luke tells about the birth of John the Baptist (chapter 1, vv. 5-25, 57-64, according to Russian translation) (Luke 1:5-25, 57-64):
In the days of Herod, king of Judah, there was a priest from the order of Abia, named Zechariah, and his wife from the family of Aaron; her name is Elisabeth. Both of them were righteous before God, walking according to all the commandments and statutes of the Lord blamelessly. They had no children; for Elizabeth was barren, and both were already advanced in years. One day, when he served in the order of his turn before God, by lot, as was usual with priests, he got to enter the church of the Lord for incense, and the whole multitude of people prayed outside during the incense; then the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. Zechariah, seeing him, was embarrassed... The angel said to him: Do not be afraid, Zechariah; For your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth... And Zechariah said to the Angel; how do I know this? for I am old, and my wife is advanced in years. The angel answered him: I am Gabriel, who stands before God, and was sent to speak with you and bring this good news to you.
And so, you will remain silent and will not be able to speak until the day this comes true, because you did not believe my words, which will come true in due time. Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and were amazed that he was delaying in the church. Having come out, he could not speak to them; and they understood that he had seen a vision in the church; and he communicated with them by signs, and remained mute... After these days, Elisabeth his wife conceived, and hid herself for five months... The time came for Elisabeth to give birth; and she gave birth to a son... On the eighth day they came to circumcise the baby, and they wanted to name him, after the name of his father, Zechariah. To this his mother said: no; and call him John. And they said to her: There is no one in your family who is called by this name. And they asked his father by signs what he would like to call him. He demanded a tablet and wrote: John is his name. And everyone was surprised. And immediately his mouth and his tongue were loosened; and he began to speak, blessing God.
Troparion.
Prophet and Forerunner of the coming of Christ, we are worthy to praise you, we are perplexed by the love of those who honor you: the barrenness of your birth and the silence of your father are resolved by your glorious and honest birth, and the incarnation of the Son of God is preached to the world. Prophet and Forerunner of the coming of Christ! We, who honor you with love, are perplexed as to how to adequately praise you. For with your glorious birth the infertility of your mother and the dumbness of your father were resolved, and the incarnation of the Son of God was preached to the world.
Kontakion.
Before the barrenness of the day, Christ gives birth to the Forerunner, and that is the fulfillment of every prophecy: Whom the prophets preached, having laid their hand on Him in the Jordan, the prophet, the preacher, and the Forerunner of God’s Word appeared.
The one who was hitherto barren now gives birth to the Forerunner of Christ, and this is the fulfillment of all prophecies: for, having laid his hand in the Jordan on the One about whom the prophets predicted, (now born) he appeared as a prophet and preacher of the Word (Son) of God and at the same time - His Forerunner.
Greatness.
We magnify you, the Forerunner of the Savior, John, and honor your unfruitful, glorious birth.