Holy Prophet Haggai in the Hymnography of the Orthodox Church

By Fr. George Dorbarakis

The Prophet Haggai was descended from the tribe of Levi. He was born in Babylon during the captivity of the Israelite people there (586–538 BC). While still young he came from Babylon to Jerusalem and prophesied together with the Prophet Zechariah for thirty-six years. The incarnation of Christ was foretold by him, four hundred and seventy years before His Birth, and he clearly prophesied the return of the people from captivity. He even saw part of the construction of the new Temple built by the Israelites who had returned. Upon his death he was buried near the priests, like them gloriously, for he too was of priestly lineage. He was very old, highly respected because of his age, widely known for his virtue, loved by all, and honored as a glorious and great prophet. His name is interpreted as ‘feast’ or ‘one who is celebrated.’

Homily for the Commemoration of the Holy Prophet Haggai (Fr. Daniel Sysoev)

Homily for the Commemoration of the Holy Prophet Haggai 

By Fr. Daniel Sysoev

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit!

Haggai is one of the last prophets of the Old Testament. He began prophesying in the second year of the reign of Darius Hystaspes (520 BC). Haggai's three major prophecies make up the tenth book of the Twelve Minor Prophets. His speeches are addressed to the Jewish king Zerubbabel and the high priest Joshua, both of whom he met during his lifetime. He reproaches them for their inaction and encourages them to resume the restoration of the Jerusalem Temple, whose construction had been halted by Darius's predecessor due to accusations from the Samaritans. His book is devoted to the significance of the Temple and its worship. People often say that the most important thing is to believe in one's soul that the Temple is not in the logs, but in the ribs. It is precisely against such assertions that the Holy Spirit rises up and raises the Prophet Haggai.

December: Day 16: Holy Prophet Haggai

December: Day 16:
Holy Prophet Haggai
 
(On Zeal For the Adornment of God's Temples)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. The Holy Prophet Haggai, whose memory is celebrated today, came forth into prophetic service soon after the return of the Jews from Babylonian captivity (at the beginning of the sixth century B.C.). He reproached them for living in good houses and neglecting to complete the Temple of the Lord, which they had begun to restore upon their return from captivity.

"Thus says the Lord," the Prophet reports what was revealed to him by the Spirit: "This people say, 'The time has not yet come, the time to build the house of the Lord.' And is it time for you to live in your adorned houses, while this house lies desolate?"

“Therefore now thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways.”

“You sow much, but reap little; you eat, but have not enough; you drink, but are not filled; you clothe yourself, but are not warmed. You look for much, but come to little; and that which you bring home, I will scatter. Why? says the Lord of hosts: Because of my house that lies desolate, while you run every man to his own house. Therefore the heavens are shut up, and do not give you dew, and the earth does not yield her increase.”