7 The Fiery Ascension of the Old Testament Prophet Elijah

last quarter of the 19th century
Created from an area northeast of Moscow
Size: 14” x 11 1⁄2”

2 Kings 2:9-12
9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “I pray you, let me inherit a double share of your spirit.” 10 And he said, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if you do not see me, it shall not be so.” 11 And as they still went on and talked, behold, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 12 And Elisha saw it and he cried, “My father, my father! the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” And he saw him no more.”

This icon depicts the Prophet Elijah. On the bottom left we see the Angel bringing Elijah nourishment as he flees from the evil queen Jezebel to Mt. Horeb after his triumph over the prophets of Baal. Directly above we see Elijah in the cave on Mt. Horeb where God comes to him in a still small voice. On the bottom middle we see Elijah and Elisha preparing to cross the River Jordan. Rolling up his coat he strikes the water and the River Jordan parts so that they may cross to the other side on dry land. The top and bottom right of the icon depicts Elijah being taken into Heaven in the fiery chariot as he drops his coat to Elisha who takes up his mantle as prophet.