St. Elijah enjoys special honor from the Church, the day of his celebration being marked in red on the calendar. It is said about Saint Elijah that he is the only one who ascended to heaven not only with his soul, but also with his body.
Glorious and wonderful prophet of God, Elijah, who enlightened the earth with your angelic life, with your fervent zeal for God Almighty, with your signs and wonders, and with God’s great favor towards you, being raised to heaven with the body in a chariot of fire; deserving to speak with God on Mount Tabor, during His transfiguration, now dwelling in the chambers of heaven and standing before the throne of the heavenly King, hear us sinners and unworthy, who at this hour stand before your holy icon , and humbly we run to your intercession.
Pray for us to God, the Lover of men, to give us the spirit of repentance, of deliverance from sins, and with His almighty good will to help us move away from the path of sin, guide us to all good things; to strengthen us in the fight against our lusts and passions, planting in our hearts the spirit of humility, meekness, the spirit of love for our neighbor, kindness, patience, wisdom, zeal for the word of God and the deliverance of our neighbor. Destroy through your prayers, prophet, the evil spirits of the world, which defile the Christian nation through the dishonor of the righteous faith, towards the ordinances of the Holy Church, the commandments of the Lord, through the dishonor of our parents and the rulers who rule over us, thus throwing the world into the darkness of dishonor, of debauchery and perdition.
Remove from us, glorified prophet, through your intercession to the Lord, the righteous anger of God; defend our cities, villages and country from drought, from famine, from wild storms, from earthquakes, from diseases and deadly wounds, from misunderstandings between brothers, from the invasion of other nations and from the war between us. Through your prayers, glorified one, strengthen our pious people and help them in all their good deeds. Intercede, prophet of God, for our shepherds fervent zeal for God, care for the spiritual salvation of shepherds, wisdom in behavior and teaching, piety and strength in temptations; grant to the judges impartiality and renunciation of the lust of gain, justice and mercy towards the oppressed; to all rulers, care towards their subjects, mercy and just judgment, and to the righteous, submission and obedience to their rulers, as well as the diligent performance of all their duties; that thus, in peace and piety, we may spend this age. Let us be worthy of the sharing of the eternal blessings in the Kingdom of God and of our Savior Jesus Christ, to whom honor and worship are due, together with the Father without beginning and with the Holy Spirit, now and always and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Source: jurnalul.ro
