Prophet Elijah (Mor Eliyo Nbiyo) BC 895

Prophet Elijah (Mor Eliyo Nbiyo) BC 895

July 20th is the commemoration of the dukhrono of the great Prophet Elijah +895BC according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church. Mor Eliyo Nbiyo of great fame was from Thisbe or Thesbe, a town of Galaad (Gilead), beyond the Jordan. He was of priestly lineage, a man of a solitary & ascetical character, clothed in a mantle of sheep skin, & girded about his loins with a leathern belt. His name is interpreted as "Yah is my God." His zeal for the glory of God was compared to fire, & his speech for teaching & rebuke was likened unto a burning lamp. From this too he received the name Zealot. Therefore, set aflame with such zeal, he sternly reproved the impiety and lawlessness. A great, solemn, and important part of the Holy Qurbono (Divine Liturgy) is the Epiclesis i.e. the 'Invocation of the Holy Spirit' before the consecration of the blessed hosts. During the time of Epiclesis, we hear the celebrant cry aloud three times: "Answer me O Lord"/"Anin Moriyo" followed by: "O Good One, have compassion and mercy upon me"/"ḥus ṭo-bo weth-ra-ḥa-ma‛-lay" This is so that the Holy Spirit be pleased to transform the offering to the very Holy Body and Blood of the Lord! Herein we are called to remember the way Prophet Elijah cried out while making the sacrifice to God against the baal worshipers (1 Kings 18: 36-39) Prophet Elijah was suddenly snatched away by a fiery chariot in the year 895 BC, and he ascended as though into heaven, God most certainly translated him alive, as He did Enoch (Gen. 5:24; IV Kings 2: 11). We again read about Elijah in the Gospels as he appears to Jesus during the Transfiguration (St. Matthew 17:3; St. Mark 9:4; St. Luke 9:30) Oh Mor Eliyo Nbiyo! Plead for us before God's throne of grace. Amen. Invocation of the Holy Spirit (Epiclesis) by HG Mor Osthatheos Issac: https://youtu.be/nWRTmNEgSNw Huthomo: https://youtu.be/RLGjAveW7A0