Saints
St. Elias
St. Elias Biography
St. Elias, also known as Elijah, was a prophet in the Hebrew Bible and a central figure in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. According to the Bible, Elijah was born in the 9th century BCE in Tishbe, a village in Gilead, a region in modern-day Jordan. He is revered as a holy man and a powerful prophet, known for his miracles and his ability to communicate with God.
Elijah is first mentioned in the Bible in the Book of 1 Kings, where he is described as a “man of God” who lived in the northern kingdom of Israel during the reign of King Ahab. He was a bold and fearless prophet who spoke out against the idolatry and corruption of the Israelites, and he is credited with many miraculous feats, including calling down fire from heaven to consume an altar and bringing a dead boy back to life.
Elijah is also remembered for his famous encounter with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, where he challenged them to a test of faith and ultimately proved the power of the one true God. This event is considered one of the most significant in the history of Judaism and is celebrated in the festival of Hanukkah.
After many years of prophesying and performing miracles, Elijah was taken up into heaven in a whirlwind, and he is believed by some to be the precursor of the Christian prophet John the Baptist. In the Quran, Elijah is revered as a prophet and is mentioned numerous times.
Throughout history, St. Elias has been revered as a symbol of faith, strength, and righteousness, and he continues to be an important figure in many religious traditions today. St. Elias’ feast day is July 20th and he is the patron saint of tailors.
Prayers to St. Elias
Prayer of Intercession to St. Elias
O glorious prophet Elias, who, by the splendor of your miracles, the austerity of your life, and the fervor of your zeal for the Lord, became a chosen vessel of divine revelation and a beacon of salvation to the people of Israel: We beseech you, intercede for us before the throne of the Most High, that we may be preserved from all dangers of soul and body, and be found worthy to escape the tribulations that are to come and to stand before the Son of Man.
Prayer to St. Elias
Obtain for us, by your prayers, the grace to keep the faith, to persevere in hope, and to love God with our whole heart and our neighbor as ourselves, that we may be united with you and all the elect in the kingdom of heaven. Amen.
Bible passages attributed to St. Elias
“The Lord is the God of Israel, and I am your servant. Go and say to Ahab, ‘This is what the Lord says: Have you seen all this great multitude? I will give it into your hand today, and you will know that I am the Lord.’ ” – 1 Kings 20:13-14
“I have not made trouble for Israel, but you have, and your father’s family, by forsaking the Lord’s commands and following the Baals.” – 1 Kings 18:18
“And Elijah said to all the people, ‘Come near to me.’ And all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that had been thrown down.” – 1 Kings 18:30
“Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, ‘The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is God.’ ” – 1 Kings 18:38
“I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” – 1 Kings 19:10
“And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.” – 2 Kings 2:11
Children’s story the life of on St. Elias
There was once a man named Elias who lived a long time ago in a land called Israel. Elias was a prophet of God, and he was called by God to speak to the people of Israel and to tell them about God’s love and mercy.
Elias was a very brave man and he was not afraid to speak the truth, even when it was difficult or unpopular. He preached against the worship of false gods and called the people of Israel to turn back to the one true God.
One day, Elias had a very special encounter with God. God spoke to Elias and told him to go to a mountain called Horeb, where he would receive a special message from God. Elias obeyed, and when he arrived at the mountain, he saw a great fire and heard a loud voice. It was the voice of God, speaking to Elias and telling him that he was loved and that he was doing a good work.
Elias was very happy to hear the voice of God, and he knew that he was being called to do great things. He spent the rest of his life serving God and spreading the message of love and mercy to the people of Israel.
Even today, many people remember Elias and the great things he did for God. He is a very special saint and an example for us all to follow.
Why is St. Elias the patron saint of tailors?
St. Elias is the patron saint of tailors because Elias was a skilled tailor who used his gifts and talents to serve the poor and needy. He is said to have used his sewing skills to make clothes for those who had none, and to have used the money he earned from his work to help those in need.
St. Elias once had a vision in which he saw a group of tailors working together to create beautiful garments. In this vision, Elias saw that the tailors were working for the glory of God, and he was inspired to become a tailor himself.
Is St. Elias the same as Elijah?
Yes, St. Elias and Elijah are the same person. “Elias” is the Greek form of the Hebrew name “Elijah,” and “St. Elias” refers to Elijah as a saint in the Christian tradition. Elijah was a prophet in the Hebrew Bible, known for his faith and miracles. He is revered as a saint in several religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Reflection on the Feast of St. Elias
Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of St. Elias on July 20th. The Feast of St. Elias, also known as the Feast of Elijah, is a Christian celebration of the life and ministry of the prophet Elijah. Elijah was a bold and faithful servant of God who lived in the 9th century BC. According to the Hebrew Bible, Elijah was a prophet of God who performed many miracles and preached against the worship of false gods.
On this feast day, it is a time to reflect on the example of Elijah and his unwavering faith in God. Elijah’s faith was so strong that he was able to perform many miracles, including calling down fire from heaven, and he was also able to confront and challenge the false prophets of his time.
As we celebrate the Feast of St. Elias, we can reflect on the importance of having strong faith in God and being willing to stand up for what we believe in, even when it is difficult or unpopular. May the example of Elijah inspire us to be courageous and faithful servants of God in our own lives.
Saints Similar to St. Elias
You may also be interested in reading the Biography of St. Elizabeth of Hungary and the Biography of St. Ephrem and the Biography of St. Eustachius. St. Elias, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, St. Ephrem, and St. Eustachius all lived in different historical periods and regions but shared a common dedication to their faith and are recognized for their piety and devotion. Next up: Biography of St. Eligius
Also check out our handmade St. Elias Medal and St. Elias Rosary and St. Elias Rosary Bracelet .