swept across the sky thunder and zakrestilis old woman, nervously glancing at the clouds."The Prophet Elijah rode a chariot" - hear them whisper.Older people remember such scenes.Who is this prophet, shaking the heavens and the earth?Open the Bible and listen to what it tells us.
Israel in the darkness of paganism
Over 900 years before the birth of Jesus Christ reigned in Israel wicked king Jeroboam.For reasons of self-interest, he departed from the true God, had fallen into idolatry, and drew away the whole unfortunate people.Since then, a whole galaxy of the kings of Israel worshiped idols.Many residents have undergone trouble because of their wickedness.But the Lord in his infinite mercy has not left the apostates, and tried to get them back on the right path by sending them through the mouth of prophets and denouncing paganism.Among them, the most ardent fighter for the true faith was God's prophet Elijah.
birth of a new prophet
Bible tells us that he was born in the east of Palestine, in the city of Fesvit.At the time of the birth of his father, the priest, he had a vision: he saw some men swaddled baby fire and puts in his mouth flames.It was a prediction that in the later years of his sermons are words like fire, and it will burn mercilessly wickedness among compatriots who have fallen into sin.Newborn named Elijah, which translated from Hebrew means "my God."These words could not be better expressed his destiny to become the vessel of God's grace.
Growing up, Elijah, as befits the son of a priest, led a pure and holy life, went into the desert for a long time and spend time in prayer.And the Lord loved him, all we ask for nisposylaya.The very same young man is infinitely grieved soul, seeing around horrible orgy of idolatry.Rulers and the people of human sacrifices.All steeped in vice and debauchery.The true God was forgotten.In his eyes, the rare righteous who remained in Israel and were trying to condemn the dishonor put to death.Heart Elijah overflowed pain.
Terrible denouncer of iniquity
At that time reigned in the country successor, Jeroboam, king Ahab.Was he dishonest, but it is especially committed to idols was his wife Jezebel.She worshiped the Phoenician god Baal, and planted that belief Israelis.Everywhere built pagan altars and temples were built.The prophet Elijah, defying danger of death, went to the king and angrily denounced him all the iniquities committed by them, trying to convince the truth of the one God of their fathers.Seeing that the king's heart is impervious to the truth, he is proof of his words and for the punishment of apostates sent down by the power of God to the whole country a terrible drought that killed crops and famine.
Speaking of miracles revealed saints during their earthly life, you should pay attention to a very important detail: they do not work miracles, as they are in this period of ordinary people, and the Lord God is at work with their hands.They are also due to his righteousness, becomes a kind of transmission link between Gd and man.After his death, being in the kingdom of God, the saints of our prayers for them may pray to God for execution if asked.
prophet Elijah risked not only to become the victim of the king's anger, but also with ordinary people to die of starvation.But God spared his life.The Lord brought his prophet in a remote place where there was water, and commanded the ravens brought him food.It is worth noting that the prophet Elijah, the icon which is present in almost every Orthodox church, is often depicted with a raven, bringing food.
Miracles in Sarepta
next perfect miracle was saved from death by starvation of a poor widow from Sarepta, where Elijah went at God's command.Because the poor woman has not regretted it for the last piece of bread, her meager supply of food became inexhaustible power of God.When the widow's son died of illness, the prophet Elijah, revealing a new miracle, the young man returned to life.His name was Jonah.The Bible tells us about his amazing destiny.Having matured over the years, the young man became an ardent adherent of the true faith.Once, on a ship heading to the city of Nineveh, which was about to turn to the inhabitants with an appeal to repent, he is caught in a storm and overboard where he was swallowed by a whale.But by the will of God through Jonah was three days spew out alive and unharmed.It stays in the belly of the whale, and the subsequent return to the world is the prototype of a three-day of Christ's resurrection.
contest with the priests and the end of the drought
the third year of drought has dried up last wells.Everywhere reigned death and desolation.Gracious Lord, not wanting to continue the tragedy, he commanded the prophet Elijah went to King Ahab, and persuade him to turn away from the worship of demons.After three years of terrible disasters even a wicked should understand the malignancy of idolatry.But anger dimmed mind of the king.
Then the Holy Prophet to prove the truth of their God, and turn away the king and the people of Israel from idolatry, offered to compete with the priests of Baal.Those who took the challenge and built the altar.The prophet began to call them prayers heavenly fire.Servants of Baal was four hundred and fifty, and the prophet Elijah was one.But there was only heard the prayer of the righteous, and his altar illumined by fire, and the efforts of the priests were in vain.They danced and cut themselves with knives - all in vain.The people glorified the true God, and the shame of the priests were immediately executed.People clearly convinced of the rightness of God's messenger.
Then the Holy Prophet Elijah ascended Mount Carmel, offered prayers to the Lord for the gift of rain.Before he could finish as the heavens were opened, and poured on the ground the noisy rain, irrigating fields and orchards.Everything that has happened was so impressive that even King Ahab repented and began to lament the errors their sins.
Visiting the Prophet Elijah God
however embittered Jezebel, wife of King Ahab, bent on revenge for his disgrace, and ordered to kill the Prophet.He was forced to hide in the desert.One day, from exhaustion from hunger and thirst, the prophet Elijah went to sleep.He appeared to him in a dream the angel of God, commanded to send his way to Mount Horeb, and live there in a cave.When Elijah woke up, I saw a food and a jug of water.It was very handy, as had to go forty days and forty nights.
bitter feelings about the fate of his people-Gentile prophet Elijah plunged into deep sorrow.He was on the verge of despair, but the merciful Lord has granted him to Mount Horeb his visit and announced that it is not yet exhausted the righteous in the land of Israel, which he has kept seven thousand faithful of his slaves, that the time is near when the die King Ahab and his wife.In addition, the Lord proclaimed the name of the future king, which is to destroy the entire race of Ahab.On top of the prophet Elijah learned from the mouth of God, the name of his successor, whom he should anoint prophets.After some time, God sent Elijah student - pious Elisha, which was just as zealous struggle with paganism.
new sin of King Ahab
Meanwhile, the wicked King Ahab again embarked on the path of sin.He liked the vineyard of Naboth the Israeli name, but by trying to buy it, the king was refused.His heart full of pride could not bear the shame.After learning about the incident, Queen Jezebel, through their henchmen he slandered Naboth, accusing him that he cursed both God and the king.An innocent man mob hammered stones and Ahab became the owner of the vineyard.But his joy was short-lived.Lord by the prophet Elijah rebuked his slanderer and predicted he and his deceitful wife a quick death.Once again, he shed tears of repentance king.Three years later he was killed.Briefly survived the profane his wife and children.
Descent celestial fire on the servants of the king Ahaziah
after Ahab his son reigned Azariah.Like his father, he worshiped Baal and other pagan gods.Then one day, seriously ill, he began to call them for help.On hearing this, the Prophet Elijah angrily denounced him and predicted a quick death.Double angry king sent a detachment of soldiers to seize Elijah, twice went down fire from heaven and destroyed them.Only on the third time sent fell before him on his knees, the Prophet pardoned them.After Elijah repeated his diatribe, Azariah died.
Ascension to heaven alive
described in the Bible and other miracles performed by the Prophet Elijah.One stroke of his cloak, he stopped the water of the Jordan River, forced them parted and moved to the other side on dry ground in the same way as the first did Joshua.
Soon God's behest miracle - the prophet Elijah was taken to heaven alive.The Bible describes how was suddenly a fiery chariot drawn by flaming horses, and the prophet Elijah in a whirlwind, like lightning, ascended to heaven.Witness the miracle was his disciple Elisha.To him passed from teacher grace of God and with it the ability to perform miracles.Himself Elijah is still alive in the villages of paradise.The Lord preserve him, as a faithful servant of his.Proof of this is its appearance in the flesh, on Mount Tabor, where he is in the presence of the Holy Apostles and Moses talked with the transfigured Jesus Christ.
should be noted that before him alive into heaven was taken only righteous Enoch, who lived before the Great Flood.This fire road in the clouds was the reason that the peals of thunder, we often associated with his name.The prophet Elijah, life is mostly described in the Old Testament, mentioned repeatedly in the New.Suffice it to recall a scene on Mount Tabor, where he was the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ with Moses, as well as a number of other episodes.
veneration of the Prophet Elijah in Russia
Since then, once in Russia, lest the light of orthodoxy, the prophet Elijah was one of the most revered Russian saints.The first temple in his honor were erected during the time of Prince Askold and holy Princess Olga.This is largely due to the fact that the first Christian missionaries on the banks of the Dnieper River Volkhov and faced the same problems as the prophet Elijah in Palestine - had disembarrass people from the darkness of paganism.
When it happened in Russia the summer drought, then went into the field religious processions and asked him for help.There was no doubt: the holy prophet Elijah, a prayer that ended the three-year drought in Palestine, has the power to send down rain on our land.
prophet Elijah and its wonders have inspired many Russian rulers to build churches in his honor.In addition to these already saints, Prince Askold and Princess Olga, Prince Igor erected in Kiev Church of Elijah the Prophet.There are also these temples and in Novgorod and Pskov.
Temple of Prophet Elias in Obydensky lane
Among the existing best known Moscow Temple of Elijah the Prophet in Obydensky Lane, photos are presented in this article.It is believed that it was built in 1592.A place where now there is a temple called Ostozhenka, and once it was called scorodite.The fact that here the logs floated down the river, and build there comfortably and quickly.Fast I get home.One day - "everyday" and you're done.It gave the name goes here alleys.
built in this place a wooden church of Elijah the Prophet was one of the most respected in the city.In the Time of Troubles, in 1612, its walls Moscow clergy commits a prayer, asking for help from the Lord God in exile in Moscow of Polish invaders.In the historical chronicles frequently mentioned religious processions to the church in the days of drought, as well as patron saint's days.Often the service it was carried by representatives of the higher clergy.
stone church building was erected in 1702, and for three hundred years, it has not constant stream of pilgrims.Even in difficult times for the Church during his door is not closed, although such attempts were.It is known, for example, the intention of the authorities close the church immediately after the liturgy of June 22, 1941.But God did not allow this.
During the persecution of the church Church of St. Elijah the Prophet became a place where many of the parishioners flocked closed churches in the capital.They brought with them not only the church utensils, rescued from confiscation, but many pious tradition preserved since pre-revolutionary times.Thus, expanding, it enriches the spiritual community.
Church of Elijah the Prophet in Butovo
the blessing of Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill in 2010 in Moscow started "Program 200" - the project of construction in the capital of two hundred Orthodox churches.Under this program in 2012 in the Northern Butovo, at the intersection of Green and the Kulikov, began the construction of another temple in honor of the Old Testament prophet Elijah.Currently the building is under construction, and services are held in a temporary building.Although forced to inconvenience parish life of the temple is very rich.Organized advisory service, the activists who are willing to give a full explanation on all issues related to the church service.Open Orthodox Film Society.In addition, children's Sunday school and a range of sports clubs.Church of Elijah the Prophet in Butovo, without a doubt, become one of the prominent religious and cultural centers of the capital.
image of the prophet Elijah today
Today the church holds extensive work to promote the Orthodox culture.Out of print books, movies are shot.Among other materials is very popular edition of "The Holy Prophet Elijah.Life. "For children and adults, there will be a lot of interesting things.Modern artists have created a gallery of works by painters representing the deeds of St. Elias.Following the established canons, they creatively rethinking the religious and moral value of the image.
also can not forget that the Holy Prophet Elijah - the patron of Russian Airborne Troops.Every year on August 2 in churches pieces Airborne held a solemn service.More than a thousand years ago shone the light of Orthodoxy in Russia, and over the years the Prophet Elijah, the earthly life of which took place in Palestine, became a true Russian saint, an intercessor in misfortunes and example of selfless Christian service to God.
