Today the Church honors the memory of St Elias (Elijah). He is the patron saint for cars and other vehicles. He shares this honor with St Christopher.
We will have Liturgy to honor him at 5:30 pm TODAY, Wednesday, July 20, and bless vehicles or any mode of transportation (cars, motorcycles, skate boards, baby carriages, skates, wagons, bicycles, tricycles and chariots, etc.) on this day also!
Our hymn honoring him, reads:
An angel in the flesh and the cornerstone of the prophets, / the second forerunner of the coming of Christ, / glorious Elijah sent grace from on high to Elisha, / to dispel diseases and to cleanse lepers. / Therefore, he pours forth healings on those who honor him.
Read in your Bible: 2 Kings, Chapter 2: verses 1 to 12!
The hagiography for the Holy Prophet reads:
Elijah was a prophet of the northern kingdom of Israel during the 9th century reign of Ahab and his consort Jezebel. The first book of Kings records the prophet’s fight against the ingratitude and apostasy of the chosen people, a battle colorfully portrayed in Elijah’s contest with the priests of Baal.
Later Judaic tradition came to regard Elijah’s fiery departure as a prophetic sign in itself, and his return was awaited as the herald of the Messianic age. Thus in the New Testament, both John the Baptist and Christ were mistakenly thought to be the reappearance of Elijah. However, at Christ’s transfiguration, Elijah does make his second appearance in fulfillment of this ancient expectation.
Elijah is one of the most dramatic and inspiring of the Old Testament prophets. His many feats of power over the elements of fire and water made him a popular saint in the oldest folk traditions of the Middle East and Russia. The Church remembers the prophet as a prototype of Christ, and events from his life are read on the feasts of Pascha, Theophany, and the Transfiguration. (NS)
****To deepen our devotion to St. Elias, Father Dennis will bless vehicles following the Divine Liturgy on Saturday and Sunday on the coming weekend.
We will serve barbecued hot dogs and hamburgers and soda, free of charge, after each Liturgy on July 23 and 24. Feel free to bring a side dish or dessert, but it is not required. Please let Father Dennis know what you are bringing!
Bring your friends.
Blessed feast of St. Elias.