The Holy Prophet Malachi lived 400 years before the Birth of Christ, at the time of the return of the Jews from the Babylonian Captivity. Malachi was the last of the Old Testament prophets, therefore the holy Fathers call him “the seal of the prophets.”
Manifesting himself an image of spiritual goodness and piety, he astounded the nation and was called Malachi, i.e., an angel. His prophetic book is included in the Canon of the Old Testament. In it he upbraids the Jews, foretelling the coming of Jesus Christ and His Forerunner, and also the Last Judgment (Mal 3:1-5; 4:1-6).
~Website of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA), https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2020/01/03/100013-holy-prophet-malachi.
Memory of Holy Prophet Malachi
By Bishop Grigorios of Mesaoria
The Orthodox Church commemorates today the Holy Prophet Malachi and Martyr Gordius.
The Holy Prophet Malachi is one of the 12 Old Testament prophets. He descended from the Tribe of Levi at the time of the return of the Jews from the Babylonian Captivity.
According to the Book of Nehemiah, he lived around the 5th century BC and had been working in Jerusalem, as Prophets Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi did. He was given the name “Malachi” – which in Greek means “angel” – because an Angel of the Lord told people that his prophecy would come true. The Angel could only be seen by true believers and not by those who were denying the words of the Prophet.
The Prophet was pious and rightful. He proved his righteousness when he challenged some priests, who were disrespectful, and the people of Israel. He also foretold the coming of John the Forerunner, who later baptised Christ. The Holy Prophet Malachi fell asleep in the Lord relatively young and was buried in Jerusalem.
~Website of the Orthodox Times, https://orthodoxtimes.com/memory-of-holy-prophet-malachi/.
Malachi the Prophet
The Prophet Malachi (“messenger of God”) is the last of the twelve minor Prophets, and also of all the Prophets of the Old Testament. He prophesied in the days of Nehemias, a wise man among the Jews, who also held a high and powerful position in the court of Artaxerxes the Long-armed, King of the Persians, who reigned from 465 to 424 B.C. Malachis’ book of prophecy is divided into four chapters; he foretold the coming of Christ as the Sun of Righteousness (4:2)
Apolytikion of Prophet Malachi
Second Tone
As we celebrate the memory of Thy Prophet Malachi, O Lord, through him we beseech Thee to save our souls.
~Website of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (GOA), https://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints?contentid=367&PCode=16LF&DT=01/03/2020.
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