TRADITIONAL CATHOLIC DICTIONARY ONLINE—Z

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Zabulon, one of the twelve sons of Jacob, ancestor of the tribe of the same name Which plays an important part in Israelite history. The territory of the latter began with Sarid (Jos., 19), about 5 m. sw. of Nazareth, included the land near Carmel and the sea, as far as the Lake of Genesareth, and part of the Plain of Esdraelon, and was largely the scene of Christ's life and labors as related in the Gospels.

Zacharias, BOOK OF, a prophetic book containing, relatively to its contents the greatest number of predictions regarding Christ. The first part (chaps. 1-6) is to encourage the temple-builders. Three visions concern the foundation of the Messianic kingdom. The fourth offers the promise of "my servant, the Orient," who is also the subject of the symbolic crowning of Josue. The fourth to sixth visions are concerned with Christ, the Priest and King. An address (Chaps. 7, 8) stresses the keeping of the commandments; the Messianic promises should be an incentive. The remainder consists of two burdens: one (chap. 9) over Syria, Phoenicia, and Philistia, contains the prophecy of Palm Sunday and the purchase of Haceldama for the treason-money of Judas; the second (chap. 12) is a burden on Israel. The authenticity of the burdens has been attacked by critics, but their reasons are insufficient as they are mostly from differences of style, and supposed differences of material. The author calls himself, "son of Barachias, son of Addo," and dates his prophecies in the 2nd and 4th years of Darius, beginning two months later than Aggeus. Addo, his grandfather, returned from captivity with Zorobabel. The prophet was likewise a priest (Neh., 12). The Septuagint attributes to him Psalms 95-98. He is very likely not the prophet "slain between the temple and the altar" (Matt. 23).

Zachary, SAINT, priest of the family of Abia; husband of Saint Elizabeth; father of St. John the Baptist. He is nlentioned prominently in Luke, 1. Zachary seems to have doubted the word of the angel who appeared to him in the Temple at the offering of the morning incense, saying that Elizabeth, already advanced in years, should bear a son. For this he was struck dumb; he recovered the power of speech at the circumcision and naming of John, and praised God mightily in the Canticle "Benedictus" (Luke, 1).

Zachary, Canticle of. Another name for the Benedictus, the canticle sung by Zachary, at the circumcision ceremony of his son, John the Baptist.

Zacheus, chief of the publicans in Jericho. He received Jesus into his house with great joy; and despite the temptations of his position he must have been an honest man, for he protested to the Lord: "Behold the half of my goods I give to the poor, and if I have ,vronged any nlan of anything, I restore him fourfold" (Luke, 19).

Zeal (Gr., zeo, to boil), love in action; a vehement emotion of soul, based on deep affection, that seeks to obtain possession of the object or the person loved, and to exclude whatever might prevent or destroy such union, or harm the person loved. In the religious life, zeal is founded on the love of God and manifests itself in strong desire and ardent action to propagate the Faith, to sanctify souls, and to promote the glory of God by making Him better known, loved, and honored.

Zealots, a Jewish faction which arose in Judea, in the days preceding the Roman siege of Jerusalem. They pretended great zeal for the Jewish rights, but this was a mere pretense. In reality they were lawless murderers and robbers, who made use of the calamitous times to practise all manner of violence. Flavius Josephus, their contermporary, accurately described their character and their deeds (Jewish War, IV, iii, 9; VII, viii, 1). They were led by John of Gischala, an unscrupulous and cunning man, who invited the Idulnmans to come to their help in their career of crime. In the destruction of Jerusalem many of the zealots were destroyed. Some fled into other lands. The Apostle Simon is called Zelotes in Luke, 6. Some believe that before his call he belonged to the Zealots; it is far more probable that he received his surname from his sincere love of the Mosaic law.

Zebedee, husband of Salome, father of James the Greater and John the Evangelist, Apostles of Our Divine Lord (Matt., 4).

Zeiator (zee-a-tah), n.; L., Fr. One who works for the furthering of a cause; sometimes referred to a particular nun or sister.

Zephaniah, n.; Heb., Bib. The Hebrew form for the name of the prophet Sophonias.

Zimarra (zee-mar-a), n.; It. Simar. The black cassock with a purple cape, sash, buttons, and piping worn in the house by a

Zorobabel (Heb., offspring of Babel), son of Salathiel (1 Esd., 3) ; with Josue, the high-priest, leader of the Jews returning from the Babylonian exile. They set up an altar for burnt-offerings in Jerusalem, kept the Feast of Tabernacles and began to rebuild the Ternple. In the beginning of the reign of Darius, Zorobabel was governor of Juda. He was one of the ancestors of Christ (Luke, 3).

Zouaves, PONTIFICAL, volunteer military corps organized at Rome by Louis Lamoriciere, 1860, to defend the papal states; its members were chiefly French and Belgians. In 1870, after Rome had been occupied by Victor Emluanuel, the Pontifical Zouaves served the government of National Defense in France and were disbanded after the Germans entered Paris during the Franco-Prussian war, 1870.

Zucchetto (tsook-ket-to)(It., zucca, head), small round skullcap, worn by ecclesiastics; white for Pope, red for cardinals, purple for bishops, black for abbots. Also, Berrettino; pileolus.

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