Orthodox icon | Saint Prophet Elijah | Painting School of Palekh | 25013

In the center: Elijah in the desert by the stream Cherith (Kings 17:1-7). On the lower left: an angel appears him in a dream (Kings 19:4-7). On the left: with his cloak, Elias separates the river Jordan and crosses it with his disciple Elisha (Elisa). Top right: the ascension in the fiery chariot – Elijah gives Elisha his prophetic cloak (Kings 2:11-13). Elisha separates the Jordan with the cloak and crosses it. Top left: blessing God the Father.

Elijah (Elias) from Tischbe in Gilead worked as a prophet in Israel at the time of King Ahab (873-853 BC) and Queen Jezebel. In the icon painting his ascent into heaven on a fiery chariot is shown, which is observed by his disciple Elisha (Elisa). Elijah predicts three years of drought for the king and is instructed to hide east of the Jordan by the Kerit brook, where he is fed by ravens; then he is sent to Sarepta, where a widow feeds him. As a result, her flour pot and jar of oil never emptied. When the widow’s son becomes ill and dies, Elijah brings him back to life. In the third year Elijah appears again before Ahab and Jezebel and challenges the prophets of Baal to a divine judgment on Mount Carmel. The people realize that Yahweh is the true God, seize the prophets of Baal and kill them. Jezebel threatens Elijah with death, and he flees to the Sinai Peninsula. There an angel brings him bread which is considered a forebode for the Eucharist. Elijah is considered to be the forerunner of the Messiah.

Very beautiful, fine gold painting on the robes (assist). Very beautiful and finely painted icon from the painting school of Palekh.