Zacchaeus is a male name of Greek origin, meaning "pure." In the Bible, Zacchaeus was a chief tax-collector known for his faith in climbing a sycamore tree to see Jesus, and his generosity in giving away half of his possessions. He was despised as a traitor and corrupt, working for the Roman Empire, yet his encounter with Jesus led to repentance and a change of heart. Later traditions suggest his identification with apostles and bishops, and he is commemorated in liturgical practices, particularly in Eastern Orthodox and Greek-Catholic Churches. The Gospel account of Zacchaeus is read on the penultimate Sunday of the Pre-Lenten Season, symbolizing the divine call to humility and repentance. In Western Christianity, the gospel pericope concerning Zacchaeus is used for the dedication of churches or their anniversaries.