St Elieus, Co-Founder of Carmel - A Bi-Ritual Saint

St Elieus, Co-Founder of Carmel, along with St Elias (20 July), is honoured today in both East and West. 

From the East:

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The Holy Prophet Eliseus lived in the ninth century before the Birth of Christ and was a native of the village of Abelmaum, near Jordan. By the command of the Lord, he was called to prophetic service by the holy Prophet Elias (July 20).

When it became time for the Prophet Elias to be taken up to Heaven, he said to Eliseus, “Ask what shall I do for you, before I am taken from you.” Eliseus boldly asked for a double portion of the grace of God: “Let there be a double portion of your spirit upon me.” The Prophet Elias said, “You have asked a hard thing; if you see me when I am taken from you, then so shall it be for you; but if you do not see me, it will not be so” (4 [2] Kings 2: 10). As they went along the way talking, there appeared a fiery chariot and horses and separated them both. Eliseus cried out, “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!” (4 Kings 2: 12). Picking up the mantle of his teacher which fell from the sky, Eliseus received the power and prophetic gift of Elias. He spent more than 65 years in prophetic service, under six Israelite kings (from Ahab to Joash). While Eliseus lived, he did not tremble before any prince, and no word could overcome him (Sirach 48: 13 [“Sirach” is called “Ecclesiasticus” in Catholic Bibles ]).

The holy prophet worked numerous miracles. He divided the waters of the Jordan, having struck it with the mantle of the Prophet Elias; he made the waters of a Jericho spring fit for drinking; he saved the armies of the kings of Israel and Judah that stood in an arid wilderness by bringing forth abundant water by his prayer; he delivered a poor widow from death by starvation through a miraculous increase of oil in a vessel. This Shunamite woman showing hospitality to the prophet was gladdened by the birth of a son through his prayer, and when the child died, he was raised back to life by the prophet. The Syrian military-commander Namaan was healed from leprosy but the prophet’s servant Gehazi was afflicted since he disobeyed the prophet and took money from Namaan.

Eliseus predicted to the Israelite king Joash the victory over his enemies, and by the power of his prayer, he worked many other miracles (4 Kings 3-13). The holy Prophet Eliseus died in old age at Samaria. “In his life, he worked miracles, and at death his works were marvellous” (Sir. 48: 15). A year after his death, a corpse was thrown into the prophet’s grave. As soon as the dead man touched Eliseus’s bones, he came to life and stood up (4 Kings 13: 20-21). The Prophet Eliseus and his teacher, the Prophet Elias, left no books behind them since their prophetic preaching was oral. Jesus, son of Sirach, praised both great prophets (Sir. 48:1-15).

John of Damascus composed a canon in honour of the Prophet Eliseus, and at Constantinople, a church was built in his honour.

Julian the Apostate (361-363) gave orders to burn the relics of the Prophet Eliseus, Abdias (Obadiah) and John the Forerunner, but the holy relics were preserved by believers, and part of them were transferred to Alexandria.

Troparion — Tone 4

An angel in the flesh and the cornerstone of the prophets, / the second forerunner of the coming of Christ, / glorious Elijah sent grace from on high to Eliseus, / to dispel diseases and to cleanse lepers. / Therefore, he pours forth healings on those who honor him.

Kontakion — Tone 2

(Podoben: “Seeking the highest...”)
You were revealed as a Prophet of God, / when you received from Elijah a double portion of the grace which you deserved; / you were his contemporary, blessed Eliseus, / and together with him you unceasingly pray to Christ God for us all!

From the West:

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From the Roman Martyrology:

At Samaria, in Palestine, [in the sixth century before Christ,] the holy Prophet Eliseus. Holy Jerome writeth that the devils shrink from his grave, where also resteth the Prophet Obadiah.

From Saints of the Day & More

St. Eliseus is a key figure in the ninth century BC. We know the name of his father, Safat, Abel Meholah originating in southern bewteen-Shan, and know that your family was wealthy (1 Kings 19, 16-19). Caramel has always been considered a disciple of St. Elijah, from whom he inherited his double spirit, as his second spiritual father. God chooses a direct and particular (1 Kings 19:16) to go in pursuit of Elijah (1 Kings 19, l9ss), which will happen after the mysterious disappearance of their brother, inheriting the spirit to the extent provided by law for the firstborn: double the other heirs [2 Re 2.1 to 15]. Their status as "man of God" is revealed mainly in the wonders of every kind that is woven with his life. The work itself, for individuals and entire communities. Lived about 850-800, successor of St. Elias, which certainly exceeds the number and striking miracles, but not by his personality and his religious influence. So, Elijah is mentioned in the New Testament, significantly, 30 times; St. Eliseus only once (Lk 4.27). Its history, almost legendary and sometimes plagiarized from that of Elijah, was collected at 1 and 2 Re (1 Re 19 Re 19-21.2, 13-8, 15,9,1-15,13, 14, -21 .) With the anointing of Yehú brought down the dynasty of Ahab. Enjoyed great esteem among Yosafat kings (2 Kgs 3:12) and Yoás (2 Kgs 13.14-19). It seems that even their own bones wrought miracles (2 Kings 13.20 s). Eliseus in the Bible when Elijah is taken away and their charisma goes to Eliseus (2 Kings 1), and concludes with the miracle that took place with the corpse of the prophet and buried (2 Kings 13.21). Most of the narratives, which look like ~ ermoso "flowers" show Eliseus surrounded by some groups which are called "disciples (or children) of the prophets." Do Carmelite successors of the "sons of the prophets"? This issue is now irrelevant, but it may be well to remember here who were these "sons of the prophets" which many authors inside and outside the Order noted for centuries as predecessors of the current Carmelites, who have their true origin late twelfth century. San Eliseo was the Master and Father of all these groups, who came and obeyed: 2 Re 4.38, 6, 1-2,12-21 ... Perhaps no mistake if we considered these brotherhoods of prophets as the ultimate bearers of faith in the Lord, pure and unmixed, nor mistake, if we consider highly important in order to the persistence of faith in the Lord, and especially for the trademark to be on. Ultimately, this is the point from where it departed this unprecedented filing Yahwist faith and divine right that we are in the later prophets. The surprising discoveries in the caves located northwest of the Dead Sea, not only provide us with news of an establishment of strict observance of Essenes, a century before and a century after the birth of Christ, but we also provide an accurate picture of the ordinances rigorous community life directed authoritatively (all thanks to the document called "Rules of the sect"), show a new light the stories concerning fraternities prophets from the time of Eliseus.