Holy Prophet Elijah the Tishbite is celebrated on July 20. Saint Elias was the son of Sovac, a priest of the Old Law, who lived in the city TESVA, Gilead (Israel). From the name of this city, we have the name of the prophet of Tishbite. Enjoys a special honor from the Church, if we consider that its commemoration day is marked on the calendar in red, scrap what does not appear that way to any other prophet.
Saint Elias lived over eight hundred years before the incarnation of Jesus, the time of King Ahab. And it has been operating in the kingdom of Israel in Samaria.
According to tradition, Sovac saw the birth of Elijah, people dressed in white robes you wrapped his son in the fire and gave him clothes to eat a flame. Jerusalem temple priests interpreted the vision thus: Elijah was chosen by God to prophetic ministry.
Old Testament narrates about his wonderful deeds in the books called Kings (Kings III and IV Kings). Here we learn that St. Elias reaches the court of King Ahab and proclaims that God will punish his people by drought, if not belief in god Baal disowns. For King, along with the people of Israel despise most famous of Elijah, it will not rain for three and a half years.
St. Elias is forced to hide from the wrath of King Ahab brook Cherith. Here it will be miraculously fed by ravens in that morning will bring bread and meat in the evening. This food was brought from the Temple in Jerusalem, where they made offerings of bread and meat. United bread with meat, typifying the Eucharist, the Lord’s body.
Later widow of Zarephath of Sidon reach, where we will raise her son and will multiply flour and oil. Commentators argue that this miracle Elijah is not addressed exclusively to Israel since he raised the son of a pagan woman. And this act would demonstrate the universality of Yahweh. Other commentators say that the resurrection of the widow’s son, typifying the Raising of the son of the widow of Nain, and the fact that the flour does not end the Multiplication of Loaves image was that Christ would do.
The late drought, for true knowledge of God, Saint Elias Emperor proposes to raise an altar on Mount Carmel and pray prophets of Baal first, then it’s God. It was removed when Elijah god Baal worship. He managed to fire come down from heaven on the sacrifice to which 450 priests of Baal failed to do.
Saint Elias, the forerunner of the Saviour
Kings of Book IV, Chapter Two, we find that the prophet Elijah after he left as successor Elisha was taken by a chariot of fire and into heaven without passing through death. Some commentators of this text says that Elijah was taken to heaven because the body is the image of contemplation, of kidnapping the matter.
Other commentators say that the purpose for which Elijah was lifted bodily into heaven is that he will return at the end of the world as a second Forerunner of the Saviour, to proclaim the second coming of Christ to judge mankind.
From the Scriptures we learn that Elijah and Enoch are those who have not experienced death, but when the world will come to prepare for the coming of Christ in glory, will battle with the Antichrist and will be killed by him. They will be resurrected Christ after Antichrist will be destroyed.
Where was lifted Elijah?
If we consider that heaven was closed after people fall into sin, we can not avoid the question: where was built St. Elijah? St. John Chrysostom says that Elijah was God dressed in angelic robe. And St. Maximus the Confessor says: “God showed ancient Raises miracles and signs and used the way renewal, moving to another form of life than the body subject to decay on the lucky Elijah and Enoch, not by transformation of flesh, but through the leadership change and its guidance. ” These statements make us talk of presence in the angel world.
Saint Elias with Moses on Mount Tabor
The great honor of Saint Elias was enjoyed before God is seen in his presence with Moses on Mount Tabor, when the Savior was transfigured before His disciples. Moses and Elijah were present near the Lord in glory, first as a receiver and Lawgiver, the second most fearless fighter against God’s enemies.
It should be noted that during his life, Elijah was worthy of vision “face to face” with God. According to reports in the book of I Kings, ch. 19, says that when i was shown God, St. Elijah covered his face with cloak because he could not behold the glory of God. But this view is possible after ascension to heaven when Tabor, Elijah saw God’s glory when Christ was transfigured.
In any case, if we consider that the law of Moses emphasized thunder, earthquake, so the manifestations visible and audible, Elijah overcomes this stage of knowledge, getting to see God in silence – “breeze”.
Fathers say that Moses and Elijah were present at the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor to meet them desire to see God’s face in front changed in the light of Christ. Do not forget that in their earthly life have failed to see the face of God, just behind Moses saw God on Mount Sinai, and Elijah withdrew to a cave when God passed in the breeze.
Elijah saint who brings rain
St. Elias is known as the man who brought the prayer to the people of Israel drought and then the rain that saved people from death, he came to be honored as one who brings the rain. In Missal, the job that is officiating in time of drought, we meet a demand that is shown intercession of St. Elijah rain: “For our prayers to be welcome event and as Elijah art converted, so hear us and us and we give alms, with rain and with proper preparation of air, let us pray to the Lord. “