At the Aposticha, Prosomia.

Tone 8. O Marvellous wonder!

**Theotokion.**

O marvellous wonder! The Archangel, who stands in God’s presence in the highest, brings the good tidings of the conception of the Forerunner in old age from barrenness to Zachary, the godly-minded minister. O your inexpressible providence, Master! Through which, O Christ, save our souls, for you alone are compassionate.

Or Cross-Theotokion.

Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people.

O marvellous wonder! Zachary’s dumbness prophesies most clearly the silence of the Old Covenant and the manifestation of the New; for silencing the completion of the Law, it revealed the light of grace. O your wise foresight, Lover of humankind! Through which watch over us all, as all-powerful.

And you, Child, will be called the Prophet of the Most High; you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways.

O marvellous wonder! Zachary is revealed, Master, as a faithful Priest, a noble Martyr and glorious Prophet, who predicts what is to come, adorned with a triple crown. O the richness of your gifts, Lover of mankind! Through them, O Christ, count us all worthy of your kingdom.

**Tone 2. By Anatolios.**

As a pure priest you entered the Holy of Holies, and robed in the sacred vestment you ministered blamelessly to God, giving laws like Aaron, guiding the tribes of Israel like Moses, with the pure chiming of the bells; and so too you were slain; but your righteous blood has become for us a saving remedy and like sweet-scented myrrh opens the ears for the gaining of eternal life. Thrice-blessed Zachary, father of John the Baptist and spouse of Elizabeth, intercede insistently on behalf of our souls.

Truly indeed the multitudes of my iniquities has risen higher than my head, pure Maiden, and my iniquities have been greatly multiplied and I, coward and incorrigible, have gained unbearable and measureless burdens. Do you, then, the only righting of those who sin, by your fervent intercession come to me and save me.

Many pains you endured at the crucifixion of your Son and God, O Immaculate, weeping you groaned and lamented, ‘Alas! my sweetest Child; how you suffer unjustly, as you wish to deliver all those born from Adam’. Therefore, all-holy Virgin, we beseech you in faith to make him merciful to us.

Apolytikion. Tone 4.

Wrapped in the vestment of priesthood, wise Zachary, you offered in a manner fitting a priest acceptable whole burnt offerings according to the Law of God; and you became a beacon and one who contemplated mysteries, manifestly bearing in yourself, O all-wise, the symbols of grace. Slain by the sword in God’s temple, Prophet of Christ, with the Forerunner intercede that our souls may be saved.