History
Elias lived in the ninth century B.C. and was one of the greatest prophets of the Old Testament. He is most renowned for convincing the Israelites to stop worshiping the God of nature, Baal, and return to one true God. This icon depicts the Prophet Elias being fed by ravens, which shows that nature itself is governed by the will of God. The raven, a bird of prey, is chosen by God to be His instrument. God's words to Elias were: "You shall drink of the stream, and I have commanded ravens to feed you there." (1 Kings 17: 4) He was taken to heaven in a chariot, and thunder and lightning are said to be St. Elias traveling across the sky in his chariot. He is the patron saint of rain, thunder, and lightning. Appropriately, the name Elias means "the Lord is my God."