The Flight and the Martyrdom of Zechariah

After a time, He brings forth the Christ according to the flesh. And when the Magi from the East had worshiped Him as a king with gifts, Herod was troubled, and he was considering killing Him immediately. But He was carried away to Egypt by Joseph and Mary, and escaped death from Herod. Herod, being unaware of the flight, ordered all the children in Bethlehem to be killed; in which he even hurried to kill John while he was still an infant.

But Elizabeth, snatching him away, fled to the wilderness; and after her praying, the mountain was split, and she received the child, and the angel of God was guarding them. Then Herod sent to Zechariah: 'Give the son; tell me where you have hidden him.' But Zechariah replies to him, saying: 'I am always presiding at the altar; I do not know what happened to my son.' And Herod, having been angered, sent to him again, saying: 'Bring out your son. Do you not know that your blood is in my hand?' And Zechariah said: 'I am a witness of God. You have my blood, but God has my spirit. Receive and know that you are pouring out innocent blood at the thresholds of the temple of the Lord.'

And Herod, being angry at these things, ordered him to be killed in the midst of the altar before the dawning, so that his killing would not be hindered by the people. At dawn, the priests, having come to the temple, were astonished, according to the custom, not having met the high priest and remaining outside. When an hour had passed, one of them dared to enter. He sees congealed blood by the altar, and hears a voice saying: 'Zechariah has been murdered, and his blood shall not be wiped away until the avenger comes.' Hearing these things, he became terrified, and coming out, he reported to the priests.

They, having entered, saw not the body, except the blood, and having torn their robes, they cut themselves, and they announced to the people, and for three days and nights they made mourning over him. And after these things, they appointed Simeon to his rank by lot, who had been under the Holy Spirit, having been promised not to see death until he saw the Christ of the Lord.

Another story concerning Zacharias is brought forward: how there was a certain place near the temple where only virgins used to go out, entering to worship God, and those who were married were not permitted. Thus Mary, having given birth to the Savior, having come, stood in this place. Since those knowing that she had given birth were preventing her, Zacharias said that she was worthy of the place of virgins. Therefore, as they were committing him an error regarding the place of virgins, they killed him between the altar. And these things were said in passing.

But Joseph, having been sent to Egypt by the brothers, was established as ruler of all Egypt by a divine inspiration of the Pharaoh, discerning dreams. And as famine was pressing all the earth, his brothers went down to Egypt, buying grain themselves because of the famine; and Joseph, having been recognized by them, brought them together with their father Jacob into Egypt in their entirety (Gen 46:31).

To Reuben four children were born: Enoch, Phales, Arrom, Charmei; to Simeon six: Jebuel, Jabin, Aod, Achih, Sadhi, Saul; and to Levi three: Gedson, Boad, and Menare; and to Judah five: Er, Aunon, who, as was foretold (Gen 49:3-5), died, Shelom, Phares, Zara; and to Phares two: Arrom, and Jemoehl; and to Issachar four: Thala, Phona, Jasoph, Zabran; to Zebulun three: Serder, Aldon, Aiel; all thirty-three, having the lineage of Leah, and the daughter Dinah. And to Gad seven sons were born: Saphon, Anges, Saunis, Thasobath, Aedis, Anoedes, Ariles; to Asher four: Jemna, Iul, Meria, and Serathygaeter; and from Beriah were born Chobor and Melchiel; all these sixteen are the sons of Zelpah the handmaid, who bore them to Jacob in the name of Leah.

And to Joseph in Egypt two children were born: Manasseh and Ephraim, whom Aseneth, the daughter of Potiphera, the son of the Sun, bore to him. And from Manasseh was born Maher, of Syrian stock by lineage; and Maher begat Gilead; and from Ephraim were born the sons Sutalam, Bad, and Lam. And from Sutalam was born Eden. To Benjamin, two children were born: Ballachobor and Assaher; and from Ballachobor Geran, and Noemim, and Laches, and Esrom, and Mamphi. And Mamphi begat Arad; all these are the eighteen sons of Rachel. And to Dad a son was born; and to Naphtali Asiel, and Goumin, and Isaar.