Holy Righteous Prophet Zechariah, Father of John the Forerunner. Wooden orthodox icon.
This Orthodox icon depicts Saint Prophet Zechariah the Righteous, the father of Saint John the Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord. The original icon dates to the 17th century and is associated with Moscow, the Kremlin, reflecting the high artistic and spiritual traditions of Russian iconography of that period.
Saint Zechariah, the son of Barachiah, was a priest who served in the Temple of Jerusalem. Together with his wife, Saint Righteous Elizabeth, he lived a life of blameless obedience to God’s commandments. Both were descendants of the priestly line of Aaron. Despite their righteousness, they suffered long years of childlessness, which in Old Testament times was regarded as a great trial.
While offering incense in the Temple, Saint Zechariah received a revelation from the Archangel Gabriel that his elderly wife would bear a son who would be “great before the Lord” and would go before Him “in the spirit and power of Elijah.” Because Zechariah doubted this promise, he was struck mute until its fulfillment. At the birth of the child, Elizabeth declared—by inspiration of the Holy Spirit—that his name would be John. When Zechariah confirmed this by writing the name on a tablet, his speech was immediately restored, and he was filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesying about his son as the Forerunner of the Messiah.
After the birth of Christ, King Herod sought to kill the newborn Savior and ordered the massacre of infants in Bethlehem. Knowing of the miraculous birth of John, Herod also sought the child’s death. Saint Elizabeth fled with the infant John into the mountains, where, according to tradition, God miraculously concealed them. Saint Zechariah, meanwhile, continued his priestly service in the Temple. When Herod’s soldiers demanded to know the whereabouts of his son, Zechariah refused to betray him and was martyred between the altar and the sanctuary.
Saint Zechariah’s icon honors him as a righteous prophet, faithful priest, and courageous witness to God’s truth. It reminds believers of obedience to God, steadfast faith amid trials, and the fulfillment of divine promises.
Feast Day: September 18
🖼 Product Features
• Printed on durable MDF wood panel
• Mineral pigment inks for long-lasting color
• Sealed with protective beeswax finish
• Ready to hang — includes mounted metal hook
• Handmade by Orthodox Christian artisans
• Lightweight yet solid: board thickness is 1.6 cm (0.6")
📏 Size: 14x30 cm (6"x12")
🎁 Perfect for
• Orthodox Christian gifts
• Spiritual housewarming gifts
• Prayer corners and devotional altars
• Baptisms, name days, and feast days
🌍 Ships worldwide with secure packaging
Our icons are made by Orthodox craftsmen in Portugal.
We hope it will be a good gift for you and your loved ones.
