Hierarch
Saint Zacharias, Patriarch of Jerusalem
February 21 Old CalendarMarch 6 New Calendar
Life
In the time of the Greek Emperor Heraclius, the Persian King Chosroes attacked Jerusalem in the year 614, plundered the city, carried the Honorable Cross to Persia, and led into captivity a vast number of Christians, among them the Patriarch Zacharias. The Jews aided him in inflicting harm upon the Christians. Among other Jewish acts of malice, this one is recorded: the Jews purchased from Chosroes ninety thousand Christians and slaughtered them all as their own slaves. The elderly patriarch remained in captivity for fourteen years. And from the Honorable Cross many miracles were manifested in Persia, so that the Persians said: "The Christian God has come to Persia." Later, Heraclius compelled the Persian king to return the Honorable Cross together with the patriarch and the remaining captives to Jerusalem. The Emperor Heraclius himself carried the Cross upon his own back into the holy city. Saint Zacharias spent his remaining days in peace and departed to the Lord in the year 631. The Patriarch Modest succeeded him on the throne, after whom came Saint Sophronius (see March 11).
And from the Honorable Cross many miracles were manifested in Persia, so that the Persians said: "The Christian God has come to Persia." Later, Heraclius compelled the Persian king to return the Honorable Cross together with the patriarch and the remaining captives to Jerusalem.
From the Hymn of Praise
### THE HONORABLE CROSS
From the Prologue from Ochrid by St. Nikolai Velimirovich, February 21. Translated by Marcian Sakarya, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Also commemorated on February 21
The full reading for February 21 includes the hymn of praise, a reflection, a contemplation and a homily.
Open February 21 in the reader