Venerable
Zachariah the Ascetic of the Kiev Caves
Venerable Zachariah the Ascetic of the Kiev Caves
New Calendar March 24 Old Calendar April 6
Why they are a saint
Zachariah the Ascetic of the Kiev Caves belongs to the choir of monastic saints. Venerable saints are honored for finishing the monastic and ascetic path. The faithful look to his monastic life as a pattern of repentance and prayer. The New Calendar feast is March 24.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Orthodox Christians usually take Zachariah the Ascetic of the Kiev Caves as a patron when they bear the name Zachariah at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on March 24. Those who share his calling as a monastic also ask his prayers.
Prayer
O holy Zachariah the Ascetic of the Kiev Caves, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.