Elijah the Prophet
Elijah (Hebrew: אֵלִיָּהוּ, “The Lord is my strength”) was born in Tishbe of Gilead around 900 BCE. From a young age, he lived a life of prayer and fasting in the wilderness. His mission was to denounce the widespread idolatry during the reign of King Ahab, who led Israel into the worship of Baal. Elijah proclaimed to Ahab: “As the Lord lives, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word” (1 Kings 17:1). A severe drought followed, during which Elijah lived by the Kerith Ravine, drinking from the brook and being fed by ravens (1 Kings 17:3–6). When the brook dried up, God directed him to a widow in Zarephath of Sidon. Despite having only a small amount of flour and oil, she prepared bread for Elijah, and the supplies miraculously lasted until the end of the drought. Later, when her son died, Elijah prayed three times, and the boy was revived (1 Kings 17:17–24).
After three and a half years, Elijah confronted Ahab and gathered the Israelites on Mount Carmel to demonstrate the power of the one true God. He challenged the priests of Baal to call upon their god to consume a sacrifice with fire, but their prayers went unanswered. Elijah built an altar, doused it with water, and called upon God, who sent fire to consume the offering (1 Kings 18:36–39). The people acknowledged the true God, and Elijah executed the priests of Baal. He then prayed for rain, ending the drought. Queen Jezebel sought to kill him, forcing Elijah to flee into the wilderness. On Mount Horeb, where God had appeared to Moses, Elijah encountered God’s voice, assuring him of support from 7,000 faithful Israelites and commissioning him to appoint Elisha as his successor.
As the time of his departure approached, Elisha followed Elijah closely. When Elijah asked what he might leave to him, Elisha requested a double portion of his spirit. Suddenly, a fiery chariot appeared, taking Elijah to heaven, leaving his mantle as a sign of Elisha’s inheritance (2 Kings 2:11–13). The Prophet Malachi (Mal. 4:5) foretold Elijah’s return before the Day of the Lord, leading some to associate him with John the Baptist. On the Mount of Transfiguration, Elijah appeared alongside Moses, bearing witness to Christ’s divine glory.
Iconography
In Ukrainian iconography, Prophet Elijah is depicted with gray hair, raised locks, and a long beard. His himation is lined with a hair shirt, symbolizing his ascetic life. He holds either a scroll with inscriptions or a sword, signifying his battle against idolatry. Elijah is often shown in the prophetic row of iconostases, as well as in icons of the Mother of God with the Praise and The Transfiguration. Narrative icons frequently portray scenes such as Elijah in the Cave and Elijah’s Fiery Ascension.
Mykhailo Skop
