36. Prophet Elijah

Details

Russian, mid-17th century
61 x 37 cms

Provenance:
Private collection, Germany.
Private collection, The Netherlands.

Literature:
‘Russische iconen. De kunst van het verzamelen’, F. en C. Tóth, Amersfoort, The Netherlands, 2009, p. 161, ill. 166.

Description:
The Old Testament Prophet Elijah lived in the 9th century in the days of King Ahab.

The name Elijah means: My God is Jahweh.

Elijah was known as miracle worker and he had many disciples. From Biblical histories in the Book of Kings we have learned much about this prophet. In Russia Prophet Elijah is a much-beloved patron saint for the rural population, as he was able let it rain in a period of drought. Furthermore Elijah is the patron saint who protects against fire. In the Bible he asked God to set fire to a wet sacrificial altar. In a thunderstorm people used to invoke Elijah for protection.

In the Orthodox Church Prophet Elijah is commemorated on July 20.