Jul 20 - “St. Elias the Prophet” © icon by Br. Robert Lentz, OFM. Happy Feast Day St. Elias!
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Elias the Prophet is greatly loved by Eastern Christians. His feast on July 20 is a solemn occasion. Nearby hills or mountains are dedicated to him and are topped with crosses left by devote pilgrims. He is the archetype of all contemplative saints.
Fire and ravens are both significant symbols of Elias. According to Ecclesiasticus, he "arose like a fire, his words flaming like a torch." He brought fire from heaven to consume his oblation to Yahweh, during his contest with the prophets of Baal. At the end of his life, instead of dying, he was taken into heaven by a fiery whirlwind.
While Western European artists usually show him with the sword he used to slay the prophets of Baal, Eastern icons show him with ravens. Ravens are unclean animals who eat carrion. This fanatical prophet who was so insistent on God's sovereignty, accepted unclean food from unclean animals in his cave on Mount Carmel. This man of bold words and gestures only hears the voice of God in a tiny whisper. What are the icons trying to say?
The inscription at the top is Church Slavonic for "Holy Prophet Elias the Wonderworker." The Arabic inscription at the bottom reads "The Zealous Prophet Elias." The gold flames behind him are reminiscent of the halos of flame that Muslim artists place behind holy people in manuscript illustrations, for this is a saint Christians share with Muslims.
His feast day is July 20.
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