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The Conception of John the Baptist and Saints Xanthippi and Polyxeni · Saints and Scripture

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  SPEAKER_00: Welcome to the Saints and Scripture Podcast.
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  SPEAKER_00: Today is Wednesday, september twenty third, twenty twenty six.
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  SPEAKER_00: Today we remember two important events in the life of the Church The Conception of the Honorable, glorious prophet, forerunner, and Baptist John, and the lives of Saints Xanthi and Polyxene of Spain.
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  SPEAKER_00: The Holy Prophet Malachi foretold that before the coming of the Messiah, his forerunner would appear to announce his arrival.
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  SPEAKER_00: The Jewish people, waiting for the Messiah, also awaited this forerunner.
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  SPEAKER_00: In the hills of Judea lived Saint Zachariah, a righteous priest and his wife Saint Elizabeth.
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  SPEAKER_00: They faithfully kept God's commandments but were childless in their old age.
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  SPEAKER_00: They prayed constantly for a child.
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  SPEAKER_00: One day while serving in the temple, Saint Zachariah entered the sanctuary to offer incense.
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  SPEAKER_00: There he saw an angel standing by the altar.
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  SPEAKER_00: The angel told him not to be afraid and said that his wife Elizabeth would bear a son named John.
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  SPEAKER_00: Zachariah doubted the angel's words, so the angel said, I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God.
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  SPEAKER_00: Because you did not believe, you will be unable to speak until these things happen.
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  SPEAKER_00: The people outside waited and were surprised when Zachariah did not come out for a long time.
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  SPEAKER_00: When he finally appeared he could not speak.
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  SPEAKER_00: Through gestures he showed that he had seen a vision.
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  SPEAKER_00: Soon after Elizabeth gave birth to John, the forerunner and baptist of the Lord.
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  SPEAKER_00: We also remember Saints Xanthi and Polyxene, sisters from Spain who lived during the time of the Holy Apostles.
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  SPEAKER_00: They were among the first to hear the teachings of Christ through the Apostle Paul.
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  SPEAKER_00: Saint Xanthippi and her husband Probus became Christians.
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  SPEAKER_00: Before her baptism, Saint Polyxene was taken by a sinful man to Greece, but God's grace protected her from harm.
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  SPEAKER_00: In Greece, Polyxene heard the apostle Philip preach.
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  SPEAKER_00: She sought refuge with Christians in the city of Patra, where she was baptized by the Apostle Andrew.
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  SPEAKER_00: Polyxene witnessed Saint Andrew's miracles and stood by the cross where he was crucified.
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  SPEAKER_00: After his martyrdom, Polyxene returned to Spain with the Apostle Onesimos and her companion Rebecca, a Jewish slave who had also been baptized.
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  SPEAKER_00: Together with her sister Xanthippi, Polyxene preached the gospel and converted many pagans.
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  SPEAKER_00: Polyxene served for about forty years and remained a virgin until her death around the year 109.
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  SPEAKER_00: Saint Xanthippe preached in the city of Toledo, sharing in her sister's work.
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  SPEAKER_00: Today, as we remember these saints, we see examples of faith, patience, and courage in the face of trials.
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  SPEAKER_00: Let us pray.
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  SPEAKER_00: Lord help us to trust in your promises as Zachariah and Elizabeth did.
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  SPEAKER_00: Grant us courage to witness to your truth like Saints Xanthippi and Polyxene.
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  SPEAKER_00: Guide us in faith and love all our days.
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  SPEAKER_00: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God.
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  SPEAKER_00: Amen.
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  SPEAKER_00: Lord help us to trust in your promises as Zechariah and Elizabeth did.
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  SPEAKER_00: Grant us courage to witness to your truth like Saints Xanthi and Polyxene.
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  SPEAKER_00: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God.
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  SPEAKER_00: Amen.