The Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, celebrated July 20 (August 2)
Canon I, in Tone II
Ode I, Irmos: Let us chant a hymn of victory to the Lord, Who of old guided His people in the sea, and therein engulfed Pharaoh and all his army.
Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.
Desiring to behold the fiery power of the miracles of Elias, his fiery and honored tongue and strength of spirit, we have assembled as is meet.
Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.
O God-bearer, our lips and the muteness and lack of skill of our tongue do thou rectify by the activity of the Spirit which is within thee, and illumine us, that we may hymn thy wonders.
Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.
Thou dost grant that which transcendeth nature unto those who have submitted to Thine honored precepts, O Word, and Thou dost make the portals of the rain subject to them through the Spirit, confirming their word.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
To the Lord Who was born of the Virgin and Who hath renewed the world, and Who for her sake hath bestowed upon us life divine, we chant a hymn of victory, for He hath been glorified.
Canon II, the acrostic whereof is: “I sing praise to the great Elias,” the composition of Hieromonk Pachomius, in Tone VIII
Irmos: Having traversed the water as though it were dry land, and escaped the evil of Egypt, the Israelite cried aloud: Let us chant unto our Deliverer and God!
Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.
Thou hast been shown to be a harp struck by the plectrum of God, O most wondrous prophet, hymning the omniscient God Who rewardeth all according to their deeds.
Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.
O wondrous prophet, unable to endure falsehood, thou didst denounce the unrighteous king for his iniquity. Wherefore, thou didst impose God’s sentence of condemnation, full of wrath, upon him.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O divine Elias, prophet and forerunner of grace, having denounced Ahab, the iniquitous king, as a transgressor of the Law, thou didst destroy the shameful prophets as ungodly.
O ye faithful, let us make haste to praise the Mother of Christ in hymns as is meet, for she gave birth unto the Savior of all, Who is the Master of life and death.
Ode III, Irmos: Establishing me upon the rock of faith, Thou hast enlarged my mouth against mine enemies, for my spirit doth exult when I chant: There is none holy as our God, and none righteous save Thee, O Lord!
Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.
He Who alone sustaineth every living thing by His good will, through a raven provided thee with a banquet as a chosen guest, O Prophet. To Him do we all cry out: Thou art our God, and there is none holy save Thee, O Lord!
Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.
Grace be to the Benefactor and Guardian Who, in His ineffable providence, nourished the widow and the prophet. To Him do we all cry out: Thou art our God, and none is holy save Thee, O Lord!
Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.
O thou who didst forbid the rain-laden clouds to pour forth, when the widow of Zarephath was deprived of food, thou didst cause the remnant of her food to increase continually; and didst cry out: None is holy save Thee, O Lord!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Thou alone, surpassing everyone from ages past, hast been vouchsafed great things transcending nature, for thou didst receive the infinite God of all creation within thy womb and didst give Him flesh. Wherefore, we all honor thee as the Theotokos.
Canon II, Irmos: O Lord, Fashioner of the vault of heaven and Creator of the Church: establish me in Thy love, O Summit of desire, confirmation of the faithful, Who alone lovest mankind.
Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.
With mercy didst thou chastise all, and takest pity on all that with faith have recourse to thee in thy temple. And in asking help of thee they have in no wise erred.
Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.
Thou didst rebuke Ahab, the ungodly king, O divine prophet, and thou didst judge him with the judgment of God as a violator of the law.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The shameless Queen Jezebel sought to slay thee, O prophet most divine, for thou didst pronounce the sentence of death upon her unholy priests, as was meet.
O Mistress, we hymn thee as a place of the priesthood of glory and the altar which held Christ, the Bread of life, O pure one.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Sessional hymn, Tone VIII, Spec. Mel. “Of the Wisdom…”: O ye faithful, with hymns let us all praise Elias the Tishbite, the wellspring of miracles and adornment of prophets; for, being immortal while yet in the flesh, as a mortal he assureth us of the resurrection of the dead. Wherefore, having boldness before God, he granteth healing to those who ask with faith, and earnestly beseecheth Christ to bestow remission of offenses upon those who with love celebrate his holy memory. (Twice)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Theotokion: Having fallen into subtle temptations through the activity of mine enemies, visible and invisible, I am caught fast in the tempest of my countless offenses. And I flee to the haven of thy goodness, as to my fervent help and protection, O pure one. Wherefore, O most pure lady, earnestly entreat Him Who was incarnate of thee without seed, in behalf of all thy servants that unceasingly pray to thee, O all-pure Theotokos, who dost ever beseech Him to grant remission of offenses to those who hymn thy glory as is meet.
Ode IV, Irmos: I have heard report of Thy dispensation, O Lord, and have glorified Thee Who alone lovest mankind.
Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.
Thou art shown to be one that cutteth off evil at its root and a planter of virtue, O wise prophet. Wherefore, we bless thee.
Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.
With reproaches the widow who fed thee upbraided thee for the death of her son, moving thee to raise him from the dead.
Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.
Thou didst clearly signify the glory of the Trinity with thy threefold breathing, and didst hand back alive the child to his mother.
Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.
O how thou didst burn, aflame with divine fire and zeal, O prophet, denouncing the king who wrought iniquities!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O pure one, who without seed didst conceive God, we entreat thee ever to pray for thy servants.
Canon II, Irmos: I heard report of Thee, O Lord, and was afraid; for by the ineffable Counsel of the Godhead, Thou, Who art God eternal, didst issue forth, incarnate, from the Virgin. Glory to Thy condescension, O Christ! Glory to Thy power!
Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.
The Lord crowned thee a prophet, O most wise one, granting thee the grace to foretell things of the future as though they were of the present. Wherefore, beholding now the fulfillments of thy words, we bless thee ever with praises as a true prophet.
Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.
As the soul of Thy prophet was most greatly adorned with humble-mindedness, O Christ God, aflame with zeal which surpasseth fire he destroyed the shameful priests.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Reflecting the Light with thy countenance, like a mirror, thou dost stand before the face of Christ, O most wondrous prophet, whence do thou mercifully visit us, that with praises we may all bless thee as a prophet.
Having acquired thee as our hope and confirmation, an impregnable rampart of salvation, O all-hymned one, we are delivered from all evil.
Ode V, Irmos: O Lord, Bestower of light and Creator of the ages: guide us in the light of Thy commandments, for we know none other God than Thee.
Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.
The law of thy fathers hath showed thee forth as a true man of prayer, O Elias, a wonderworker who transformed the nature of the elements and utterly consumed the righteous sacrifice with water.
Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.
As thou art a true minister of God, thou didst utterly put to shame the prophets of abominable shame, O venerable and most blessed Elias, clearly marking the power of the Trinity.
Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.
Rendering priestly service through the word of grace, O Elias, consumed with zeal as with fire thou didst slay the shameful priests with thy blameless hands.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
To thee that gavest birth unto Christ, the Creator of all, we cry out: Rejoice, O pure one! Rejoice, thou who hast shone forth the Light upon us! Rejoice, thou who didst contain the infinite God!
Canon II, Irmos: Wherefore hast Thou turned Thy face from me, O Light never-waning? And why hath a strange darkness covered me, wretch that I am? But turn me, and guide my steps to the light of Thy commandments, I pray.
Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.
O prophet Elias, whom the unwaning splendor of divine grace hath revealed, having diligently acquired a mind most divine, thou dost move the pious to hymnody.
Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.
Who doth not marvel at thy divine zeal, O wondrous prophet? And who doth not hymn Christ Who hath given thee such great might?
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
With prophecy wast thou adorned by God, O Elias, most wondrous prophet; wherefore, having wholly united thyself to God, denouncing falsehood, thou didst lead the Israelites to the knowledge of God.
O Theotokos, who gavest birth to the never-setting Sun, enlighten me who am utterly benighted by the passions, and fill me with light divine.
Ode VI, Irmos: The uttermost abyss of offenses hath surrounded me, O Lord, but lead up my life from corruption, as Thou didst the Prophet Jonah, O Lord.
Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.
A pillar of piety and the pure life, an instiller of purity, and an emulator of the angels wast thou, O wondrous God-bearer Elias.
Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.
The wrath of the prophet-slaying woman, having frightened thee who had received the power to bind and loose the downpouring of the rains, O wondrous Elias, caused thee to flee.
Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.
Having stooped to the ground, thou didst raise on high the supremely exalted eye of thy mind, by thine eminent entreaty causing the rains to be loosed; and with showers thou didst water the furrows of the earth.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
The bush on Sinai, which touched the Fire without being consumed, prefigured thee, the Ever-Virgin Mother, O all-hymned Theotokos Mary.
Canon II, Irmos: Cleanse me, O Savior, for many are my transgressions; and lead me up from the abyss of evils, I pray, for to Thee have I cried, and Thou hast hearkened to me, O God of my salvation.
Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.
A hymn of supplication do thou offer unto God, O most honored prophet, on behalf of all that have recourse to thy divine temple, that we may honor thee as a great helper.
Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.
The mind of man doth not suffice to praise thy life as is meet, O prophet; for, beholding the transfiguration of Christ, thou wast exalted far above the noetic ranks.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
He that is Lord and Creator of all hath appeared to us in accordance with thy prophecy, O blessed Elias, calling all men to the knowledge of Him, for He loveth mankind.
O Mary, pure vessel of virginity, cleanse thou my mind of the gloom of the passions, and fill my heart with righteousness, O all-immaculate one.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Kontakion, Tone II: O prophet, foreseer of the mighty works of our God, Elias of great renown, who by thy voice didst restrain the cloud of rain: on our behalf entreat Him Who alone loveth mankind.
Ikos: Beholding the great iniquity of men and the great love of God for mankind, the prophet Elias was troubled and grew wroth; and he addressed pitiless words to the Merciful One, crying out: “Be Thou angered against those who deny Thee, O righteous Judge!” But he did not move the compassion of the Good One to torment those who deny Him, for He Who alone loveth mankind doth ever await the repentance of all.
Ode VII, Irmos: The fiery bush on the mount and the dew-bearing furnace of Chaldæa manifestly prefigured thee, O Bride of God; for in thy material womb thou didst receive the divine and immaterial Fire without being consumed. Wherefore, to Him Who was born of thee do we chant: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!
Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.
Most gloriously vested with divine and formidable power, thou didst undertake a long journey, having eaten of food which sufficed thee for forty days, O wondrous Elias. Wherefore, thou didst say on Horeb: Blessed is the God of our fathers!
Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.
The mild and gentle breeze revealed the Lord to thee, O Elias, who wast zealous for God Almighty: not the wind of the tempest, nor the earthquake, nor yet the fearsome fire. Wherefore, to meek Jesus didst thou chant: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!
Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.
Like the great Moses, thou wast vouchsafed the vision of God and prophecy, O wondrous Elias, anointing prophets and kings with the Spirit. And having borne witness to the glory of Christ on Tabor, thou didst chant: Blessed art Thou, O God of our fathers!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
In times past thou didst, supernaturally and without seed, give birth in the flesh to the unoriginate and preëternal Lord, the Son, Power and Wisdom of the Father, O all-pure one, unto the restoration of mortals. Wherefore, we cry out to Him Who was born of thee: Blessed is the God of our fathers!
Canon II, Irmos: Once, in Babylon, the youths who had come forth from Judæa trod down the flame of the furnace with their faith in the Trinity, chanting: O God of our fathers, blessed art Thou!
Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.
The people of Israel who came against thee with a captain of fifty thou didst utterly consume with fire from heaven as unworthy, O divine Elias.
Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.
Thou wast a most divine prophet who wast rightly illumined with the vision of God, O most honored Elias; and thou didst straightway put an end to the sacrifices offered to Baal.
Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.
Inasmuch as the all-holy Spirit gave thee the gift to prophesy, O most honored prophet Elias, thou didst foretell the coming of the Son of God and didst sin not, O all-blessed one. To Him do we chant: Blessed is the God of our fathers!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Truly, as was meet, the poison of death was poured forth through the judgment of God and the hand of the prophet upon the shameful priests who ate unrighteously at the table of Jezebel.
O Mother of God, save me who am held fast by the abyss of offenses, and rescue me from all the malice of the foe, that, saved by thee, I may magnify thine aid.
Ode VIII, Irmos: The bodies of the pious youths, clad in the same purity as their souls, quivered with awe, and the irresistible fire, though fed with boundless fuel, recoiled; but as the ever-living flame faded away, an everlasting hymn was chanted: O all ye works of the Lord, hymn ye the Lord and exalt Him supremely for all ages!
Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.
Well did Ahab find the just destruction of his house, through the prophet’s condemnation, to be the dread retribution for his vile commission of murder. And with fiery mind the Tishbite chanted a hymn unto the Bestower of life: All ye works of the Lord, hymn and supremely exalt Him for all ages!
Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.
Fire rained down from heaven for thee, O Elias, twice consuming captains of fifty, in that thou art God’s chosen minister; for to Him Who controlleth everlasting life thou didst in godly manner declaim the hymn: All ye works of the Lord, hymn and supremely exalt Him for all ages!
Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.
On Tabor Christ showed thee to be an initiate of the mystery of His divine incarnation, in that thou wast an instiller of purity and a most divine scion of virginity, showing the unapproachable light of the Godhead in His Body to thee who criest out: All ye works of the Lord, hymn and supremely exalt Him for all ages!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
Most rich was the womb of the Mother of God; for, having received the Word in the coarseness of the flesh and wrought therefrom a form earthly according to hypostasis, it was shown to be the city of God wherein the Most High was well-pleased to dwell. To Him do we chant: All ye works of the Lord, hymn and supremely exalt Him for all ages!
Canon II, Irmos: The King of heaven, Whom the hosts of angels hymn, praise and exalt ye supremely for all ages!
Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.
He that, as God, knoweth all things, entrusteth to thee, O Elias, in that thou art faithful, the knowledge of things to come and of things that shall come to pass; and He showeth thee things which are afar off as though they were near.
Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.
Having strengthened thy mind with pious boldness, O blessed prophet, thou dost foretell those things that are far off as though they were near, O most honored prophet.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Having cleansed thy mind of all defilement, O divine prophet, thou didst therefore become completely holy, guiding all to the Light of God.
The Word, to Whom thou didst ineffably give birth, do thou entreat on behalf of those who faithfully honor thee, O pure Theotokos.
Ode IX, Irmos: Thee do we magnify, O blessed and most pure Theotokos, who through thy virginal womb ineffably didst make God incarnate, the Luminary Who shone forth before the sun and hath come to us in the flesh.
Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.
Having lived on earth the course which man cannot change, and crossed the Jordan’s stream by means of his mantle, the Tishbite, that air-borne charioteer, made a strange and heaven-traversing journey in the Spirit.
Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.
The Tishbite, aflame with the zeal of piety, was taken up on a fiery chariot; and he let drop his mantle; and Eliseus, clad therein, received divine grace which he could not conceal.
Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.
The Tishbite and Moses the God-seer beheld in revelation on Tabor what eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, and what hath not entered into the hearts of earth-born men: the Lord Almighty, incarnate.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us.
O Theotokos, we magnify thee, who didst remove the severe condemnation which was of old the correction of our first mother, and who art ever the reconciliation of our race to God, a bridge to the Creator.
Canon II, Irmos: Saved by thee, O pure Virgin, we confess thee to be in truth the Theotokos, magnifying thee with the incorporeal choirs.
Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.
Thou hast been deified by the immaterial splendor of the life-creating Trinity, O prophet Elias; wherefore, we all set thee forth as an intercessor to God for the world, O blessed one.
Holy and Glorious Prophet Elias, pray to God for us.
Thou wast known as an angel on earth, O divine prophet, and in heaven as a man of God; for the Lord Himself said: “Because thou art a stern man, O Elias, thou canst not endure iniquitous Israel. Come thou up to Me, that I may come down!”
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Thou didst live on earth as one of the bodiless ones, O divine prophet, and now, upborne to heaven, thou joinest chorus with the angelic choirs. From on high watch over us that hymn thee, O blessed one.
Thou dost hold in thine arms God Who upholdeth all things, and thou dost feed the Nourisher Who became like unto us, O pure one. Him do thou beseech, that He grant to thy people deliverance from all oppressors.
Troparion, Tone IV: The angel in the flesh, the foundation of the prophets, the second forerunner of the Coming of Christ, the glorious Elijah sent grace down from on High upon Elisha, to dispel infirmities and to cleanse lepers. Wherefore, he poureth forth healings upon those who honor him.