He was born in Babylon, during the time of Israel's captivity, from the tribe of Levi. He prophesied in 470 BC. As a young man, he visited Jerusalem. He encouraged Zerubbabel and the priest Joshua to rebuild the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem, prophesying that temple would have greater glory than the former temple of Solomon: "The glory of this latter house will be greater than that of the former, says the Lord of hosts" (Haggai 2:9). And indeed, the Jews, returning from Babylonian captivity, built a temple in Jerusalem. It was not as magnificent and richly decorated as the first, but it was greater than it and was visited by the One whom everyone expected, the Lord Christ. Haggai lived to see Zerubbabel build a part of it. He rested in old age.

Saint Nicholas Chrysovergus, Patriarch of Constantinople. Saint Theophania, Empress. Christmas Fast.