St. Barthlomew

Elijah is one of the greatest prophets in the Old Testament—a man of fiery zeal, unwavering faith, and fearless proclamation. His name means “The Lord is my God”, and he lived that truth boldly during a time of great apostasy in Israel.

He appeared suddenly in the court of King Ahab and prophesied a drought, challenging the nation to turn back to the true God. On Mount Carmel, Elijah stood alone against 450 prophets of Baal, calling down fire from heaven to prove that Yahweh alone is God (1 Kings 18). His prayer, faith, and obedience made him a beacon of divine power and truth.

Elijah is also known for his mysterious end: as depicted in the image, he did not die but was taken up into heaven in a chariot of fire, witnessed by his disciple Elisha (2 Kings 2:11). His mantle fell to Elisha, signifying the continuation of the prophetic spirit.

Elijah later appears again at the Transfiguration of Christ (Matthew 17:3), representing the prophets who foretold the coming of the Messiah. He is also seen as a forerunner of the end times, and in Orthodox tradition, is believed to return before the Second Coming.

Elijah’s life is a call to courageous witness, radical faith, and the pursuit of God above all else.