Church commemorates Prophet Elijah

Icon of the Prophet Elijah. Photo: Gallerix

On August 2, the Orthodox Church commemorates the holy and glorious Prophet Elijah the Tishbite – one of the greatest righteous men of the Old Testament, renowned for his fiery zeal for God and the miracles he performed.

The holy Prophet Elijah was born in Tishbe of Gilead, of the tribe of Levi, around 900 years before the birth of Christ. From his youth, he lived an ascetic life in the wilderness, devoting himself to strict fasting and prayer. His prophetic ministry took place during the reign of King Ahab, who, under the influence of his wife Jezebel, promoted the worship of the pagan god Baal throughout Israel.

The prophet fearlessly denounced idolatry and called the people to repentance. The most famous episode of his life was his confrontation with the priests of Baal on Mount Carmel – when, through Elijah's prayer, fire descended from heaven upon the sacrifice, revealing to the people the power of the true God.

Holy Scripture recounts numerous miracles performed by the saint. Through the power of his prayer, he “shut” the heavens so that no rain fell for three and a half years. He raised the son of the widow of Zarephath of Sidon from the dead and miraculously multiplied her supply of flour and oil during the famine.

For his exceptional devotion to the Creator, the Prophet Elijah was taken up alive into heaven in a fiery chariot before the eyes of his disciple Elisha. He later appeared alongside the Prophet Moses on Mount Tabor during the Transfiguration of the Lord, speaking with the Savior about His coming sufferings.

According to Church tradition, the Prophet Elijah will become the forerunner of Christ's Second Coming to earth. He will descend from heaven to denounce the Antichrist and lead people back to the true faith – after which he will suffer bodily death.

As previously reported by the UOJ, the Primate of the UOC spoke about the spiritual feat of the Old Testament Prophet Elijah.

Read also