Prophet Elijah 1500

This Orthodox icon presents the Prophet Elijah, a figure whose fiery spirit embodies divine wrath and prophetic zeal. Note the scroll he holds, a symbol of revealed truth. The scroll connects Elijah to a long lineage of prophets, scribes, and lawgivers, from Moses receiving the tablets to the Sibyls of antiquity whose prophecies foretold the coming of Christ. Consider, too, his mantle, reminiscent of a philosopher's cloak. Yet, it is also a sign of his ascetism, recalling John the Baptist. This mantle evokes the power of the Old Testament seers but finds resonance in the New Testament, bridging two worlds. The mantle’s symbolism resurfaces in other guises across centuries, appearing in depictions of saints and mystics. Such recurring imagery reveals a collective memory, a psychological current that shapes our understanding of holiness. The emotional intensity of Elijah's gaze captivates us. These visual motifs form a language, evolving and adapting across time.