Jeremiah (Hebrew: יִרְמְיָהוּ, Yirmeyahu, meaning “The Lord will exalt”) was one of the four great prophets of the Old Testament, who lived in the 7th–6th centuries BCE. Born into a priestly lineage, he was called by the Lord at the age of fifteen to prophesy to his people (Jer. 1:4–10). Initially hesitant, Jeremiah tried to decline the call, but the Lord promised His constant presence. The prophet delivered his messages at city gates, the entrance of the Temple, and other places where people gathered. He denounced the Jews for their impiety and idolatry, foretelling severe punishments for these sins (Jer. 7:1–15). Jeremiah often faced persecution for his prophecies, with his writings even burned (Jer. 36:23). Among his most notable teachings is the call for the “circumcision of the heart,” a metaphor for cleansing the soul from sin and pride. He challenged his people, who believed themselves chosen yet disregarded God’s Law, to true spiritual renewal (Jer. 4:4).

Jeremiah authored the Book of Jeremiah, composed during the fall of the Kingdom of Judah, which includes various prose and poetic fragments, speeches, and prophecies. He is also credited with Lamentations—a mournful song lamenting the destruction of Jerusalem but imbued with hope for Israel’s renewal upon its return to the Lord. Jeremiah likely died in Egypt, where he was taken by Jewish refugees after the Babylonian conquest (Jer. 43:5–7).

Iconography

In Ukrainian iconography, the Prophet Jeremiah is frequently depicted holding a scroll in the prophetic row of the iconostasis. He also appears in the upper register of icons of the Dormition of the Theotokos, alongside other prophets, and in icons of the Mother of God with the Praise, often placed in the lower-left corner.

Mykhailo Skop