The History of St. Ilija

Saint's Day - August 2nd (July 20 in the Julian Calendar)

Ilija was from Thisbe or Thesbe, a town of Galaad (Gilead) in what is now the country of Jordan. He was of priestly lineage, a man of a solitary and ascetical character, clothed in a mantle of sheep skin, and girded about his loins with a leather belt. His name is interpreted as "Yah is my God."

His zeal for the glory of God was compared to fire, and his speech for teaching and rebuke was like a burning lamp. From this too he received the name Zealot. Aflame with such zeal, he spoke against the impiety and lawlessness of Israel's King Ahab and his wife Jezebel.

By his prayers he shut up heaven and it did not rain for three years and six months. Ravens brought him food for his need when, at God's command, he was hiding by the river of Horrath. He multiplied the little flour and oil of the poor widow of Sarephtha of Sidon (Lebanon) who had given him hospitality in her home, and when her son died, he raised him up. He brought down fire from Heaven upon Mount Carmel, and it burned up the sacrifice offered to God before all the people of Israel so they might know the truth. At the river of Kisson, he killed 450 false prophets and priests who worshipped idols and led the people astray. He received food miraculously at the hand of an Angel, and being strengthened by this food he walked for forty days and forty nights. He saw God on Mount Horeb, as far as this is possible for a human.

He predicted the destruction of the dynasty of Ahab, and the death of his son Ohozias. He divided the waters of the river Jordan, and he and his disciple Elisha passed through as if on dry land; and finally, while speaking with him, Elias was suddenly snatched away by a fiery chariot in the year 895 B.C., and ascended as into heaven, where God most certainly translated him alive, as He did Enoch (Gen. 5:24; IV Kings 2: 11).

But from there also, after seven years, by means of a message he reproached Joram, the son of Josaphat, as it is written: "And there came a message in writing to him from Ilija the Prophet, saying, Thus saith the Lord God of David thy father, "Because thou hast not walked in the way," and so forth (II Chron. 21:12). Interpreters believe this happened either through his disciple Elisha, or through another Prophet when Ilija appeared to them, even as he appeared on Mount Tabor to the disciples of Christ

It was widely believed that St. Ilija would appear before the arrival of the Messiah and Jesus himself was identified by some as being Ilija returned. However, Jesus identified St. John the Forerunner (Baptist) as the Ilija that was to come and proceed Him.

Apolytikon of Prophet Ilija in the Fourth Tone

The incarnate Angel, the Cornerstone of the Prophets, the second Forerunner of the Coming of Christ, the glorious Elias (Elijah), who from above, sent down to Elisha the grace to dispel sickness and cleanse lepers, abounds therefore in healing for those who honor him.

Kontakion of Prophet Ilija in the Second Tone  

O Prophet and foreseer of the great works of God, O greatly renowned Ilija, who by your word held back the clouds of rain, intercede for us to the only Loving One.

St. Ilija's Feast Day (Ilinden in Macedonian) holds an especially significant place in the hearts and minds of Macedonians as it marks the date of the Ilinden Uprising of 1903, where Macedonians revolted against the Ottoman Empire in attempt to free their homeland from 500 years of Ottoman subjugation.