July 20: Prophet Elias celebratestranslated

Today the Church honors the memory of the glorious Prophet Helios of Thesbitos. We also celebrate the memory of the Prophet Elijah's ascent to heaven in a chariot of fire since, as is well known, the prophet Elijah did not die and was not buried, but ascended physically to heaven. Orthodox Christians celebrate with special reverence the Prophet Elias. This is evidenced by the many chapels, which are usually found on mountain tops, to remind us of the roughness of life and the constant persecutions that the Prophet endured, and of course the scene of his ascension to heaven with a fiery chariot.

The Prophet Elias has not written any specific book, which is included in the 49 Books of the Old Testament. However, the information about his life and activities are gathered in the books of the 3rd and 4th Kings of the Old Testament, while praises to the Prophet were written by Saint John Chrysostom and other Fathers and Teachers of the Church.

A native of Thesbes, he lived during the reign of the ungodly king Ahab (869–850 BC), whom, like his idolatrous wife Jezebel, he controlled publicly and with severity.

His great faith and zeal that…