Not the One in the Sycamore Tree
Christians familiar with the name Zacchaeus might initially think of a man whom Jesus first encounters in a sycamore tree. But the man who is commemorated by the Church on August 23rd is Zacchaeus of Jerusalem, a figure who comes into view a century after our Lord’s Ascension.
Very little is known about Zacchaeus besides what Eusebius Pamphilius records in his work Church History. In Book Five, Eusebius provides a list of the first fifteen bishops of Jerusalem accompanied by a general description of the episcopacy of Jerusalem in the early centuries. Zacchaeus falls fourth on this list, following James, the brother of our Lord, as well as Simeon I and Justus I. Zacchaeus is described as belonging to the circumcision party, which implies that he was of Jewish decent, along with the other first fourteen bishops. Zacchaeus remained in office for only a brief time—approximately four years before his death in 116.
Brief History
While Eusebius expands on the life of a handful of other bishops in his Church History, Zacchaeus is confined to one book and appears otherwise unnoteworthy. The details of his life are, however, known to our Lord whose hand caused Zacchaeus to be honored over time as a saint worth remembering throughout the centuries until the present day.
Yet the fact that Zacchaeus is a saint of relatively minor fame can teach us an important lesson, as well. For every saint’s day—Zacchaeus included—is a chance for the Church to worship the one Christ who has worked in his saints. In this post, we dive more deeply into why and how the Church honors her saints—those with whom we are intimately tied as members of Christ’s body throughout the centuries—even if their earthly deeds are hidden from us.
Collect
O eternal Shepherd, look favorably upon Thy flock and guard it by Thy continual protection: inspire all Pastors through the faithful example of Blessed Zachaeus, Thy Bishop, to be diligent in their ministry, through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost: ever one God, world without end. Amen.
Epistle
Gospel
Resources
Propers found in Daily Divine Service Book: A Lutheran Daily Missal, edited by the Rev. Heath Curtis
References:
1. Eusebius of Caesarea. Church History. ca. 341 AD.
2. Ecclesiastical History of Eusebius Pamphilus, Bishop of Caesarea, in Palestine, in Ten Books, Eusebius Pamphili, translated by C.F. Cruse, 1833.
Images:
1. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem, Domenico dalle Greche, Italy, ca. 1546.
Some links might be affiliate links which means we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
[…] about what the organization of the Church looked like during the first century? Our post about St. Zacchaeus of Jerusalem, celebrated on August 23rd, provides some information about who the leaders in the Church were, but […]