Saint Elizabeth

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Saint Elizabeth
Feast Day	November 05
Liturgical Class
Patronage	Expectant mothers; women in labor; difficult childbirth
Birthplace	Judea, Roman Empire (likely Ein Karem, now Israel)
Death Place	Judea, Roman Empire (now Israel)
Cause of Death	Natural causes
Primary Shrine	Church of the Visitation, Ein Karem, Israel

Saint Elizabeth (Hebrew: Elisheva; 1st century BC) was a Jewish woman from the tribe of Levi, wife of the priest Zachary, and mother of John the Baptist, known for her righteousness and the miraculous conception in old age as recounted in the Gospel of Luke. According to Scripture, Elizabeth, a descendant of Aaron, lived barren and childless in Judea, facing social reproach but remaining blameless before God (Luke 1:5–7). In her sixth month of pregnancy, announced by the angel Gabriel to Zachary, her relative Mary, pregnant with Jesus, visited her; filled with the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth proclaimed Mary "blessed among women" and felt the unborn John leap in joy at Christ's presence (Luke 1:39–45), a moment celebrated as the Visitation.

Venerated as a saint in Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican traditions, Elizabeth's story exemplifies patient faith and prophetic recognition of the Messiah, with her feast day observed on November 5 alongside Zachary in the Roman Rite. While biblical accounts provide the primary historical framework, hagiographic traditions elaborate on her later life with John in the desert, which cannot be confirmed beyond Luke's narrative. Evidence from early Church Fathers like Irenaeus affirms her Levitical lineage and role in salvation history, positioning her as a model of barrenness transformed by divine promise in Catholic exegesis.

Biography

Birth

Saint Elizabeth was born in the 1st century BC in Judea, Roman Empire (likely Ein Karem, modern Israel), as a descendant of Aaron from the tribe of Levi, though exact date remains unknown. Hagiographic tradition holds a pious upbringing in a priestly family, but this cannot be verified by primary sources beyond Luke 1:5. Probabilistic inferences from Herodian Judea suggest a devout Jewish home emphasizing temple service.

No baptismal records exist; early life details are unavailable.

Early Life

Elizabeth married Zachary, a priest of Abijah's division, living righteously in a hill country town (Luke 1:5–7), possibly Ein Karem. Barren and advanced in age, she endured stigma but remained blameless. Evidence from Luke indicates her social isolation until Gabriel's annunciation.

Her early life centered on faithful observance.

Occupation

Elizabeth's occupation was that of a devoted wife and future mother, managing a priestly household in Judea. Post-conception, she secluded for five months (Luke 1:24). Historical context from 1st-century Judaism confirms women's roles in domestic piety.

This reflected Levitical purity.

Vocation

Elizabeth's vocation as prophetic forerunner's mother unfolded with John's conception, her Magnificat-like praise (Luke 1:25). At the Visitation, Spirit-filled, she hailed Mary and John's leap (Luke 1:41–45). Hagiographic tradition suggests desert life with John, unverifiable.

Her calling bridged Old and New Covenants.

Death

Saint Elizabeth's death date and circumstances are unknown, presumed natural causes in Judea post-John's birth. Tradition places it in Ein Karem.

Significant events

• Married Zachary, priest of Abijah (1st century BC).
• Announced pregnancy by Gabriel to Zachary (Luke 1:13).
• Secluded five months after conception (Luke 1:24).
• Visitation by Mary; proclaimed her blessed (Luke 1:39–45).
• Gave birth to John the Baptist (Luke 1:57).

Significant locations

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Legend

• Birth location: Judea, Roman Empire (likely Ein Karem, now Israel)
• Death location: Judea, Roman Empire (now Israel)
• Notable location: Church of the Visitation (site of Visitation to Mary) (Ein Karem, Jerusalem 9103400, Israel)
• Notable location: Church of Saint John the Baptist (birthplace tradition) (Ein Karem, Jerusalem 9103400, Israel)
• Notable location: Shrine of the Visitation (Church of the Visitation, Ein Karem, Jerusalem 9103400, Israel)
• Notable location:
• Notable location:

Dynamic content

Parishes

Saint Elizabeth
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Media

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Shrines

Dynamic shrines

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List of shrines

Church of the Visitation

• Basilica built on the traditional Visitation site in 1955, designated under Canon 1230 by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem for Marian and prophetic devotions, offering sacraments, relic veneration, and annual May 31 feasts with processions.
• Pilgrimage details: Ein Karem, Jerusalem 9103400, Israel; founded 1955 on 12th-century site; features Magnificat inscription, plenary indulgences on feast; Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
• Facts: "Site of Elizabeth's greeting to Mary; hilltop chapel overlooks valley."

Church of Saint John the Baptist, Ein Karem

• Franciscan church over John's birthplace, qualifying under Canon 1230 as a pilgrimage site for forerunner family devotions, with cave chapel and annual June 24 baptisms.
• Pilgrimage details: Ein Karem, Jerusalem 9103400, Israel; 17th century; feasts; Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
• Facts: "Elizabeth's home tradition; spring waters linked to her seclusion."

St. Elizabeth Church, Cleveland

• U.S. parish dedicated to her, serving as a diocesan shrine under Canon 1230 by the Diocese of Cleveland for expectant mother novenas and family Masses.
• Pilgrimage details: 3232 Saywell Ave, Cleveland, OH 44109, United States; 20th century; November 5 liturgies; Diocese of Cleveland.
• Facts: "Hosts maternity blessings; reflects American immigrant devotion."

Canonization

Servant of God

As a biblical figure, no formal Servant of God stage applies; veneration began in the apostolic era.

Venerable

Not applicable.

Beatification

No beatification; recognized in early martyrologies.

Canonization

Canonized through ancient recognition by the universal Church, with inclusion in the Roman Martyrology by the 4th century.

Miracles

As a biblical saint, no authenticated miracles were required; her conception is the primary prodigy (Luke 1:7, 13). Traditions attribute graces to her intercession for motherhood.

Miracle for beatification

Not applicable.

Miracle for canonization

Not applicable.

Other notable miracles

• Miraculous conception in old age.
• John's leap at Christ's presence (Luke 1:41).

Patronage

Saint Elizabeth is the patron saint of expectant mothers and women in labor.

Feast day

November 05

Veneration

Saint Elizabeth is venerated through Visitation novenas and pilgrimages to Ein Karem. Relics are unavailable. Saint Elizabeth has been depicted in numerous artworks, including Visitation paintings. Literature and media often portray Saint Elizabeth in Gospel harmonies. Relics and shrines dedicated to Saint Elizabeth are significant pilgrimage sites, influencing cultural or religious events such as Ein Karem feasts.

Books

Written about the saint

• Elizabeth: Mother of John the Baptist

Written by the saint

No writings attributed to Saint Elizabeth.

External links

• Catholic Online: St. Elizabeth
• New Advent: St. Elizabeth
• Franciscan Media: St. Elizabeth
• Wikipedia: Elizabeth (biblical figure)