The life of St Zechariah
He is remembered as the author of the book that bears his name, the eleventh of the twelve minor prophets, filled with visions of a coming shepherd king betrayed for a paltry price and forsaken by his own followers, images the Church has long read as foretelling Christ.
Scholars have long noted that the book's later chapters differ enough in style and setting from its earlier ones that they were likely composed by another hand continuing Zechariah's themes after him, though the Church receives the whole book under his name. Zechariah is said to have lived to old age and died in peace, buried near Jerusalem beside his fellow prophet Haggai. Centuries later his relics were reported found near Eleutheropolis and afterward brought to Constantinople, to the church of Saint James the Brother of the Lord. The Church remembers him among the prophets who prepared Israel, and in time the world, to know its Messiah.
