Born in the 10^th century BC, a descendent of Aaron, he was abstemious in food, humble in clothing and strict with himself and with others. His life was filled with miracles which started in his childhood years. Legend has it that his father had a vision in which gentle men talked to the child Elijah, swaddling him in fire and suckling him on fiery flames. The priests interpreted the vision thus: the Grace of God shall come upon him, his word shall be like fire, strong and powerful, his life shall be pleasing to the Lord. The name Elijah means the Lord’s fortress.

Having fought against idolatry and the massacre of prophets, in which King Ahab and his wife were most vicious, the prophet approached the king and said: “As surely as the Lord lives, no rain or dew will fall during the next few years unless I command it.” And he “locked” the skies for three years and six months. Ahab wanted to kill Elijah but the Lord told him to go and hide by a brook not far from the River Jordan and sent ravens to bring him food.

St. Elijah Church in the village of Selishte, Blagoevgrad region. The patron's icon above the church entrance

The last miracle worked by St. Elijah is the way he passed from this world – the only one among God’s chosen ones. When the day came he was with a disciple, the prophet Elisha. A chariot of fire appeared, with horses of fire, in which the holy prophet was taken up to the sky.

In folklore the St. Elijah tradition is connected with the idea that the prophet is the master of summer storms and thunder.

Which pagan deities he was once believed to be connected with, what traditional beliefs and legends there are about the saint – find out here.