The Story Behind This Icon:
The Holy Prophet Elijah (Elias in Greek) is one of the greatest of the Old Testament prophets. He lived 900 years before the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. A member of the Levite tribe, Prophet Elias spent his whole life dedicated to God, living in the wilderness in strict fasting and prayer, wearing camel skins and eating such sustenance as God provided in the desert. If you recognize these traits in another Holy Prophet - the Forerunner John the Baptist - that is by design, as the Prophet Elias will be the Forerunner of the Second Coming of Christ. Prophet Elias is depicted similarly in icons - see here in our icon of the Prophet, where he wears the skin of a camel on his back and has long, unruly hair, just as John the Baptist is often shown. The Prophet Elias is honored among all Orthodox peoples and churches dedicated to him are commonly found on the peak of a mountain.
The miracles he performed in the name of God are too many to count. In his life, Elias gained one apostle, Elisseus, who was with him until the end, where after splitting the Jordan in half and reaching the other side, a fiery chariot from heaven stole Elias away. It is written that before the Second Coming of Christ, Elias will return on his fiery chariot to prophesize and show the power of God once again.
Prophet Elias' feast day is celebrated on July 20.
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This icon is made of solid, natural limewood (Tilia) that has been prepared by hand using traditional methods and organic materials. The background is comprised of 22 Karat gold leaves that were meticulously applied by hand, piece by piece.
All of our icons are reproduced according to museum print standards and are authentic replicas of Holy Icons from Mount Athos and elsewhere.
Learn more about how our Holy Icons are made here.
Our most popular dimensions are pictured, to scale.
Depending on the size and theme, Holy Icons are available in both Recessed and Level styles.
RECESSED
The groove in our recessed icons adds depth to the Iconography, making the icon even more dramatic and impressive. In order to keep the relative proportions, the depth of the groove changes with the size of the Holy Icon.
LEVEL
Level icons allow the Iconography to retain its boldness even in smaller sizes. As such most of our level icons have smaller dimensions.
Backside details vary with icon size and serve to ensure that your Holy Icon will stand the test of time.
Solid wooden icons of larger dimensions are prone to bending and damaging as time passes. Fortunately, our Holy Icons are supported by two additional, horizontal wooden protective panels on the backside. These panels bolster the icon and allow it to sustain its shape, ensuring that your Holy Icon will remain in its original, pristine condition as it is passed down from generation to generation.
Icons of smaller dimensions are naturally sustainable over time, and experience less structural stress. As such, you will find that the backside of smaller Holy Icons is flat and proportional to their shape.
