The priest from the lineage of Ithamar, Saint Zacharias, had a wife, Elizabeth, also from the Aaronic line. Both were righteous before God, observing the commandments of the Lord. Saint Zacharias served in Jerusalem during the reign of Herod, being from the division of Abijah. During his service, the angel of the Lord appeared to him, announcing the birth of a son, John, who would be great before the Lord and would precede the Savior.
Zacharias, doubting the words of the angel due to his old age, was punished with muteness until the prophecy was fulfilled. After the birth of John, Zacharias, filled with the Holy Spirit, blessed God and prophesied about the salvation of Israel. When Christ was born, Herod, learning of John's birth, ordered the killing of all infants, but Elizabeth and her son hid in the mountains, where they were protected by the mountain of God.
Saint Zacharias was killed by Herod's order when he refused to reveal his son. His blood became a witness against Herod. Elizabeth, remaining in the cave, passed away forty days after her husband's murder, while John was nourished by an angel until his revelation to the people.
