Iconography by the hand of Matthew D. Garrett
This icon of the Holy Prophet Elijah is part of my private collection. It was painted (written) for our Slava. It depicts the Prophet Elijah in a cave with a raven bringing him food, as well as the angel waking him from sleep with the words “arise and eat” and the Prophet ascending into heaven in a fiery chariot handing his mantle to the Prophet Elisha.
Celebrated on July 20
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St. David, the great-grandson of Ruth and Boaz was the king of Israel, and is an ancestor of Jesus Christ. He is well known for his many hymns and psalms.
The Righteous Judith’s story is told in the Deuterocanonical book of Judith. She was a widow in the time of King Nebuchadnezzar. While under siege from the Assyrians, and on the brink of starvation, the Jews of the city of Bethulia consider surrendering. Judith, a widow, refusing surrender sought out the General of the Assyrians, and entranced him with her beauty. While he was distracted, she cut off his head, thus leaving the Assyrians with no leader. This allowed the Jews to fight back and drive away the Assyrian army.
A similar icon is available for purchase on the Icons for Sale page.
Jacob, the son of Isaac and the father of the heads of the tribes of Israel.
St. Deborah the Prophetess’ story is told in Judges 4:4-5:31. She used to sit under a palm tree and the Israelites would come to her for judgements. She went with Barak to face the forces of Sisera, and God granted the Israelites victory. Judges 5 records the Song of Deborah and Barak, one of the oldest poems in the Bible.
St. Daniel the prophet was a youth in Babylonian captivity and was made one of three presidents in the kingdom of Darius. He was so admired by Darius that Darius considered putting the rule of the kingdom under Daniel. The other presidents, and satraps wanted to remove Daniel, and so they had Darius issue an edict that anyone praying within 30 days of the edict must be placed in the lion’s den. When Daniel continued praying three times a day, he was thrown into the lion’s den overnight, but the next morning he was found unharmed. So impressed was Darius that he had the satraps and presidents cast into the lion’s den with their families. They were instantly killed by the lions.
St. Benjamin was the youngest son of Jacob and his 2nd wife Rachel. After Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers, Benjamin was highly favored by his father.
Abram, from Ur of the Chaldaeans made a covenant with God, being given the name Abraham. He was rewarded with a great multitude of descendents and a land for them. God tested Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his son Isaac. Abraham agreed despite his great love for his son. God spared Isaac, but only after seeing the Abraham was willing to do anything God asked of him.This icon was commissioned for the diakonikon of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in South Glens Falls, NY
Moses, considered perhaps the greatest of Jewish Prophets, was God’s instrument in the liberating of the Chosen People from Egyptian slavery. Raised by the Pharaoh’s daughter, he was called by God from the burning bush to free his people. Moses objected due to his lack of leadership skills and speech impediment. He overcame these difficulties, and through miraculous acts was able to lead the Jewish people out of Egypt. He received the ten commandments from God on Mount Sinai, but was unable to enter the Promised Land.
Aaron was the older brother of the Prophet Moses, and acted as Moses’ spokesperson due to Moses’ speech impediment. Aaron, like his brother, died before seeing the Promised Land.
Russian:
Troparion (Tone 2)
Kontakion (Tone 2)
Greek:
Apolytikion (Third Tone)
Kontakion (Fourth Tone)
The Holy Prophet Ezekiel
