St. Zacharias Patriarch of Jerusalem

I tell you, my friends, don't be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will warn you whom you should fear. Fear him, who after he has killed, has power to cast into Gehenna. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Aren't five sparrows sold for two assaria coins? Not one of them is forgotten by God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Therefore don't be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows. I tell you, everyone who confesses me before men, him will the Son of Man also confess before the angels of God; but he who denies me in the presence of men will be denied in the presence of the angels of God.

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	St. Zacharias Patriarch of Jerusalem

St. Zacharias served as Patriarch of Jerusalem (609-632AD), succeeding Isaacius (601-609). According to John Zonaras, the great compiler of the Canons, his tenure lasted twenty-three years; but according to St. Nicephorus, it lasted twenty-two years. The holy Zacharias, in turn, was succeeded by St. Modestus. In the life of St. Modestus, the following was written concerning his predecessor,

"History will always remember the imprisoned Patriarch Zacharias, the heroic champion of the Holy Land, with great admiration and respect for refusing to be separated from the most venerable Cross".

Meletius states that at the time of Emperor Heraclius (614), the blessed Zacharias was imprisoned by Chosroes, but he returned to Jerusalem with Heraclius, who had driven out the Persians. Jerusalem, in the meantime, was rebuilt, and the captured Holy Cross was returned and elevated once again by the hands of St. Zacharias on the 27th of September, 629. This latter event is commemorated as the Feast of the Elevation of the Precious and Life-giving Cross, on September 27.

Source: http://www.orthodoxchristian.info

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