St Elijah

The Old Testament prophet, St Elijah, was of a priestly family of Aaron’s lineage, of the town of  Tishbite, so he also known as Elijah the Tishbite. When he was born, his father saw angels wrapping him with flames. The event announced his fiery character. He spent his youth in prayer and often withdrew to the desert. All the prophets, who pointed to the transgressions of the people and their kings against God, suffered, so did Elijah. His greatest conflict was with the king of Israel, Аhаb and his wife Jezebel, who made the people worship the pagan idols and the Syrian Baal. Elijah miraculously defeated the Baal’s priests, prophesying the death of Ahab and Jezebel.  On the Mount Horeb, Elijah spoke to God and hear the voice of God. Ordaining Elisha as his successor, he was taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire. On Mount Tabor, together with Moses, Elijah spoke to Jesus Christ. And the prophecy says that he will appear once again at the end of the world.

RELIGION AND TRADITION

The Church celebrates St Elijah on  20th July/ 2nd August. Among the folk he is known as Elijah the Thunderer.

ART

Folk songs; St Elijah is Fed by a Raven; a fresco in the Grаčаnicа Monastery in Kosovo and the one of the same motif in the Моrаčа Monastery in Montenegro.