Saint Elijah was a Hebrew prophet of the Old Testament, whose name means “My God is Yahweh”. He lived in the 9th century BC and the story and events of his life are recorded in the Bible. Find out more about the life of this holy prophet below.
History and biography of Saint Elijah
Elijah, also known as Elijah, was a Hebrew prophet born in Gilead in the 9th century B.C. His name comes from the Hebrew and means “My God is Yahweh” (El = God IA = Yahweh). He was a well-known Israelite prophet of the Old Testament. He was dedicated to convincing the Israelites that there is only one God, the creator of heaven and earth, and that this God is Yahweh.
He defended the rights of the one God before the people. Everything about the story of Saint Elijah, the Hebrew prophet, is recorded in the Holy Bible (See: Who Wrote the Hebrew Books of the Bible).
During Elijah’s ministry, the people were divided into two kingdoms: the kingdom of Israel in the north, with Samaria as its capital, and the kingdom of Judah in the south, with Jerusalem as its capital. Israel was ruled by Ahab, who married Jezebel, the daughter of the Phoenician king Itobaal of Sidon, which brought peace between the two kingdoms and improved trade relations.
King Ahab was ruled by his wife Jezebel, a foreigner who tried to impose the religion of false gods (Baal) on the people. She was a ruthless woman who had all the priests and prophets of the true God, Yahweh, killed. Only about a hundred people were spared because they were hidden in caves and fed by the king’s steward, Abdias, in times of greatest danger. Abdias was a true follower of God.
Elijah went across the Jordan to his homeland to save himself. Then, at Yahweh’s command, he went to Zarephath, a Phoenician city, where he stayed for a while. When Jezebel was convinced that she had done away with the religion of Israel, Elijah appeared to confront her and announced that as punishment for her idolatry and abandonment of the true religion, a 36-month drought would befall Samaria, bringing famine and thirst to the whole city.
Indeed, it did not rain for three years, during which time they suffered from thirst and hunger. Samaria suffered God’s punishment, dead animals, no crops and starvation for all the people. God told Elijah to go and live in a cave where there was a spring of water. During this time he was fed by ravens who brought him bread in the morning and meat in the evening. When the spring dried up, Elijah went back to live in the strange town of Zarephath at the Lord’s command.
St Elijah was poorly dressed, with a coarse camel’s cloth and a thong, just as St John the Baptist would later dress. When Elijah arrived in the town of Serepta, he asked a woman who was cutting wood for cooking to give him some bread and water. The woman replied that she had only a little flour and oil to make bread for herself and her son, and then they would starve.
Elijah told the woman that he would make him a loaf of bread and that the flour and oil would not run out until it rained on the land again. The woman was a little reluctant, but she did as he said. She made him a loaf of bread and the woman was able to feed her son and the prophet throughout the drought.
It was in the time of the prophet Elijah that the first case of resurrection occurred. The son of the woman who fed the prophet suffered a serious illness and died. The mother was devastated, wondering why such a calamity had befallen her, and weeping inconsolably for the loss of her beloved son.
Elijah stood by the child’s body and began to pray with all his faith, and to the woman’s surprise, God brought the child back to life. The mother was shocked to see her son alive and said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God and that Yahweh truly speaks through your lips.
King Ahab met Saint Elijah and told him that he was the ruin of Israel. He told him that it was not he, but the king himself, his wife and all his family who had forsaken Yahweh, the true God, and his laws to serve Baalim. Elijah made the king summon all the people of Israel and the four hundred and fifty prophets of the false god Baal who were with Jezebel to Mount Carmel.
When they were all on Mount Carmel, Saint Elijah asked them how long they would stand between one god and another, those who believe that God is Yahweh follow him, and if they believe that he is Baal follow him also, to which no one answered.
Since Elijah was the only prophet of Yahweh left, while Baal had four hundred and fifty, he suggested that they kill two bulls, tear them to pieces and lay them on the wood without setting fire to them. He told them to choose one and call upon their god to light the fire while he called upon Yahweh; the god who responded to the fire would be considered the true god. All the people agreed.
From morning until noon the prophets called upon Baal to answer, but nothing happened. Elijah hesitated and told them to shout louder, perhaps their god was asleep or on a journey. The prophets shouted louder and, as was their custom, they cut with their swords until they drew blood, but still there was no answer from Baal.
Saint Elijah told the prophets to come to the mountain where his bullock was. He made a trench around the altar of the bullock and placed it on the wood; he filled the trench with water and prayed: “Yahweh, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are the God of Israel, and I am your servant who has done this at your command. Answer me, Yahweh, answer me”.
Then the fire of Yahweh fell, consuming the altar of the dam, taking away the wood and drying up the water in the ditch. Elijah told Yahweh to set fire to the prophets of the false god Baal, that not one of them should be spared, and they were set on fire. The people were amazed at this miracle. With the people convinced that Yahweh was the true God and the prophets of Baal dead, there was no need to continue the punishment; the water returned. When Jezebel heard what Elijah had done to the prophets, she was filled with anger and had him killed. To save his life, the Hebrew prophet had to flee into the desert. After his great victory, he felt defeated and had no strength to fight on.
Elijah walked in the desert for a whole day, wanting to die and asking Yahweh to take his soul. He fell asleep until an angel woke him and gave him food and a jar of water. He ate, drank and slept until the angel woke him again and told him that the way would be hard. The Prophet ate again, drank water and gained strength to continue.
He walked 40 days and 40 nights in the desert until he came to the mountain of God, Horeb. There he went into a cave to spend the night. He heard a voice saying: “A hurricane passed by, but God was not there, an earthquake came and God was not there, a blazing fire passed by and God was not there either. Until a gentle breeze blew and Saint Elijah put on a blanket and went out to the entrance of the cave.
From that moment the great prophet learned not to be violent like the hurricane, not hard like the earthquake, not frightening like the fire, but soft and gentle like the breeze. The voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” to which he replied, “Because the children of Israel have forsaken you, killed your prophets and thrown down your altars, I am left alone, and they seek me to take my life. Yahweh told him to go on his way, to choose Yehu as king of Israel.
Elisha will be a prophet and the successor of the holy Elijah. Whoever flees from the sword of Hazael will be killed by Yehu, and whoever flees from the hand of Yehu will be killed by Elisha. These were the words of Yahweh. He also told him that he would spare all those in Israel who did not worship and bow down to Baal, the false god.
One day Jesus chose three apostles to show them his glory. He was transfigured before them, his face shining like the sun, his clothes white as light. And Elijah and Moses appeared and talked with Him (See: Who was Moses to God in the Old Testament).
King Ahab wanted to buy a farm that belonged to Naboth, who would not sell it to him because it was a beloved inheritance. Then Queen Jezebel had him killed and Ahab kept the farm. Elijah came and told them that for such a crime all the king’s sons would be killed and Jezebel would be eaten by dogs.
King Ahab was very concerned and frightened by what Elijah told them, so he began to repent. God told Elijah that because of these demonstrations of repentance, the punishments would not come until after the king was dead. And so it came to pass. After Ahab’s death, a general named Jehu was made king, and he had all the dead king’s sons killed, and he had Jezebel thrown from a balcony to the ground, where she was eaten by dogs.
Saint Elijah appointed Elisha as his successor. When he was told by God that he was going to heaven, they both went to the river Jodan and were seen by a group of prophets who saw it split in two so that they could pass without getting their feet wet. Elisha asked Saint Elijah to give him two thirds of his spirit as a last favour, so that he could have some of his powers and qualities.
The prophet Elijah told Elisha that if he saw the horses taking him up to heaven, he would grant him what he had asked. As they walked, a chariot with horses of fire separated them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. When he reached heaven, his whole spirit was given to him and from that moment on he began to work miracles. The people asked if he was Christ or if he was Elijah, to which he replied, “I am the one who prepares the ways of God.
Saint Elijah was and is one of the most revered saints since ancient times because he was a prophet who took it upon himself to defend God (Yahweh) above all else. He dedicated his life to the Lord, telling people who doubted His divinity that He was the one true God and not to believe in false gods. Elijah is still venerated by believers who know his story and his faith in the Lord and the Virgin Mary.
Elias, founder of the Carmelite ideals
Saint Elijah defended God on Mount Carmel and proved to all men that He was the true God. He showed the people who followed Baal that Baal was a false god, while the one true God was Yahweh. Elijah inspired the faith of all the Carmelites, who did great work for justice, peace and the integrity of creation.
Although the Carmelites do not consider Elijah to be the founder of the Carmelite Order, it is a fact that through his inspiration he was able to profess devotion and faith in God.
Saint Elijah is a prophet in solidarity with those who are far from God; the Carmelites are the only ones in the Catholic Church today who maintain a great devotion to the figure of the Old Testament.
Prayers to Saint Elijah
Because of the power of prayer, many people use it every day to communicate with God, to find peace of mind, to pray or to make certain requests. Many people are devoted to Saint Elijah because of his miracles and the way he confessed his faith in God in the Old Testament.
“Almighty God, who conceived Saint Elijah and guided him to profess faith and love to you, guide us also on the path of faith and glory, grant us reconciliation and make us live forever as our father and prophet, make us witnesses of your love, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
“St. Elijah, who professed faith in God to a whole people, you were an example for us to follow. We turn to you on this occasion to ask you (we say what we want to ask) to intercede before God, our Lord and Father of all, to help me in this cause. We are witnesses of your divine transcendence and of your miracles; we thank you that you have taught us to love God. I ask that you hear my petitions and that your holy will be done. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, amen.
Prayer to Saint Elijah for money
The prayers of the prophet Elijah for money are widely used because one of his gifts was to watch over his followers and their needs. It is very important to pray with great faith and hope. The prayer to St Cajetan for money is very important and helps to strengthen this prayer of St Elijah.
“Almighty and eternal God, who received our father and saint Elijah, I ask you to intercede for me in this economic situation, help me to overcome it and do not leave me alone in this great sorrow. Grant that the efforts of my daily work may bear fruit and profit and that these may help me to overcome my financial problems. Do not allow me to waste my earnings and keep greed away from me. Through the intercession of Elijah the Prophet, I hope to obtain your kindness and be granted what I have asked of you.
“Mighty Saint Elijah, Prophet and our Father, I ask you to bless my work and the income from it, so that I may be able to provide for all my needs, so that my daily bread will never be lacking. I long for it to increase and for me to be able to save for the future. I ask you to take from me everything that would make me squander my fortune, Your will be done, almighty and eternal God. Amen.
Prayer to St Elias of Mount Carmel for dominion
This prayer of Saint Elias is used to dominate, attract or possess, it is used in Santeria and also involves certain rituals such as placing candles, a glass of water and a glass of coffee. These are offerings given to the Saint in this type of ceremony.
“O mighty prophet and our father, I come to you to help me obtain what I so desire, I call upon your spirit, the Baron of the Cemetery, to return me to (the person’s name is said three times), help me with your glorious strength, Saint Elijah, grant me the peace of mind that he humbles himself before me, that he falls under my dominion and repents of all the evil he has caused. I also thank you, for I know that you will make my wishes come true”.
Prayer for love to St Elias of Mount Carmel
Prayers for love are widespread throughout the world, people pray to their saints to help them find the right person, to bring back a love, etc. The prayer of St. Elijah of Mount Carmel for love is known as the “St. Elijah trotting prayer”. Devotees claim that this prayer, when prayed for nine days and with its respective retual, is very effective in getting what is asked for.
St Elias trotting prayer
“Saint Elias at the trot, you who unite the beloved, I ask you to help me to obtain what I desire. Baron of the Cemetery, grant that (the person’s name is said three times) may come to me and stay by my side. Make him think only of me, turn away from any other love, miss me and love me. I ask that the spirit of (person’s name repeated three times) be completely bound to me, keep him away from any other person who tries to separate us.
Keep unfaithfulness and lies away from us. Saint Elijah of the Trot, you who receive the help of angels and omnipotent beings, help me with this supplication. I am grateful because I know that you are listening to me and I trust that my requests will be granted”.
This prayer is used in Santeria, it is made when you want to recover a love, it must be prayed together with the prayer “padre nuestro” 9 times, it is said that it must be done during 9 days at 12 o’clock in the morning or at 12 o’clock in the evening lighting a candle to the saint. A glass of coffee without sugar, a glass of water and flowers are placed as an offering, which is left for the nine days and then thrown away.
Prayer to St Elias, Baron of the Cemetery
“O great Baron of the Graveyard, favourite Baron of the Almighty, we pray that you guide those mortals who cannot find their way. I beseech you to help me remove from my home all the spirits that have lodged there. Help me to destroy all the evil spells that have been done to me and that may be done to me.
St Elijah of Mount Carmel, as you defended yourself from the enemy, I ask you to protect me from any spirit or power that would harm me. I ask you to help me to find peace and protection in my home and not to abandon me in times of danger, I offer to light a white candle for nine days”.
When praying this prayer, it is recommended to light a red candle, which symbolises the strength to overcome obstacles, and to diffuse sandalwood scented oil.
Saint Elias Baron of the Cemetery
San Elias Baron of the Cemetery is the spirit in charge of the dead, he is the Dominican Voodoo who allows the passage between the spiritual world and the physical world. He is also called the guardian of the door between the living and the dead. In the Dominican Republic, Saint Elias is worshipped in the cemetery at midnight on Tuesdays and Fridays, when he grants wishes.
The Baron of the Graveyard is represented by the image of St. Elijah of Mount Carmel, dressed in black and white. The Baron of the Cemetery is used to reverse evil spells, destroy enemies, command the dead, ask for help and much more.
According to the tradition of the santeros, to invoke the Baron, they first recite the Our Father and the Ave Maria, and then take three black candles, a bottle of coffee, a red soda, a black hen and a red chicken to the Baron. The saint foams at the mouth and his stomach slowly swells. This only lasts for a few minutes when his wishes are granted while he is in possession.
Convent of St Elias
There are two monasteries of St Elias in the world, one of which is on a hill overlooking Bethlehem and Herodion in Israel, south of Jerusalem. It was built in the 6th century and suffered some damage to its structure due to an earthquake. It is said that Saint Elijah stayed in this monastery for a few days while fleeing from Samaria, where Jezebel had him killed.
It was rebuilt in 1160 after the Roman Emperor Frederick I approved the donation of funds. It is said that Elias of Bethlehem, a Greek bishop, was buried there in 1345. In 1948, the Monastery of St Elias was the base of an Arab legion. This was during the Arab-Israeli war. On the road to Bethlehem and Herodion, the Israeli army quickly overran the Jordanian defences.
The other was on a hill overlooking Mosul in Iraq. It was consecrated around 595 AD. It was an ancient Christian abbey and its construction is attributed to the monk Mar Elia.
The monastery was the centre of the Christian community in the region, where thousands of Christians came to pray and offer their prayers and thanks to the saint. In the 17th century it was restored by Hurmizd Alqushnaya and remained so until 1743, when a Persian leader ordered the murder of the monks living there and destroyed all the property.
The monastery was abandoned and remained in ruins until the 20th century, when its halls, rooms and other areas were restored, and in 2014 the Monastery of St Elias was completely destroyed by an Islamic State group. The beautiful building of Iraq’s oldest monastery, dating back some 1400 years, is believed to have disappeared completely in September 2014.
