Inscription in Church Slavonic: ОБРАз ОГНЕННОЕ ВОСХОЖДЕНИЕ С[вя]ТАГО ПРО[рок]а ИЛИЙ. Image of the Fiery Ascension of the Holy Prophet Elijah

Feast Day: 20th July

The icon shows the Old Testament prophet Elijah ascending to Heaven in a fiery chariot as described in 2 Kings 2:11-13. As he departs, he drops his mantle to his successor, Elisha. The example shown has related scenes - Elijah dividing the Jordan river by striking it with his mantle and Elijah fed by a raven beside the brook of Cherith (1 Kings 17:4-6). Elijah was very important to Russian peasants because he was believed to control storms and lightning. Thunder was caused by the wheels of his fiery chariot as it rolled across the cloudy skies.

The Holy Prophet was a popular figure throughout Russia, but especially in Novgorod and the Northern Lands. In the folk tradition his icon was considered as protection against the ever-present threat of fire.