September 6: Saint Zechariah the Prophet

Prophecy of the Messiah’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem

Saint Zechariah, who lived in the 6th century B.C. in Gilead (modern-day Jordan), is one of the minor prophets of the Old Testament. His name means “God remembers.” A member of the tribe of Levi, he was called to prophetic ministry by the prophet Haggai.

Zechariah experienced numerous visions and prophecies, a sign of his profound communion with God. The central theme of his preaching is the return to God by the Jewish people, who had returned from the Babylonian exile. Around 520 B.C., he exhorted the community to rebuild the Temple of Jerusalem, overcoming the difficulties and opposition of those who had settled in the land of Judah during their exile.

Through visions and parables, he conveyed God’s call to repentance, understood as a necessary condition for the fulfillment of divine promises.

His prophecies speak of the future of the new Israel, both immediate and messianic. Zechariah emphasizes that this Israel will be holy and spiritually renewed through God’s action.

This renewal is presented as the fruit of divine love and omnipotence. The covenant with David, broken by the exile, resumes in Jerusalem with new strength.

One of his prophecies was fulfilled in a striking way with Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, heralding the beginning of the messianic kingdom:

“Exult greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout for joy, O daughter Jerusalem! Behold: your king is coming to you, a just savior is he, humble, and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. He shall banish the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem; the warrior’s bow will be banished, and he will proclaim peace to the nations; his dominion will be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.”

 (Zech 9:9–10).

The Prophet Zechariah died at an advanced age and was buried next to the prophet Haggai.