The Axe Head of the Prophet Elisha as a Foreshadowing of the Cross

In 2(4) Kings 6:1-7 we read:

And the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “See now, the place where we dwell with you is too small for us. Please, let us go to the Jordan, and let every man take a beam from there, and let us make there a place where we may dwell.”

So he answered, “Go.”

Then one said, “Please consent to go with your servants.”

And he answered, “I will go.” So he went with them. And when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. But as one was cutting down a tree, the iron ax head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, “Alas, master! For it was borrowed.”

Why the Prophet Elisha is Commemorated on June 14th

By John Sanidopoulos

Though there are no written sources to confirm my theory, as far as I know, I think it is quite obvious why the Prophet Elisha is commemorated by the Orthodox Church on June 14th. Let's break it down.

Orthodox Easter can fall any time between April 4th and May 8th (according to the Revised Julian Calendar; minus 13 days for the Julian Calendar currently, though less days centuries ago). The Ascension of Christ took place forty days after Easter, and Pentecost took place ten days after the Ascension. This means that the Ascension can fall any time between May 13th and June 16th, while Pentecost can fall any time between May 23rd and June 26th. Though these dates are based on the moveable calendar of the Church, the fixed immovable feast of the Prophet Elisha on June 14th falls comfortably within the period of the Ascension and Pentecost with the Revised Julian Calendar, while shortly after Pentecost with the Julian Calendar..

So what does the Prophet Elisha have to do with the Ascension and Pentecost? Well, some would say that the Prophet Elisha is the Prophet of Pentecost, mainly because of what we read in the second chapter of 2 Kings.

7 Greek Shrines Dedicated to the Prophet Elisha

1. Chapel of the Prophet Elisha in Monastiraki of Plaka

This chapel was built during the Turkish occupation, probably in the 17th century. It is most famously known for being the chapel in which Saint Nicholas Planas liturgized, and was even ordained on March 2, 1884. There vigils were kept by Saint Nicholas beginning in 1885, chanted by the notable literary figures Alexandros Papadiamantis and Alexandros Moraitides. It was here also that the future Metropolitan Nikodemos of Patras first met Saint Nicholas; Metropolitan Nikodemos was responsible for submitting the request to have Saint Nicholas officially canonized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Papadiamantis died in 1911, but the vigils continued with Moraitides, who composed a Divine Office in honor of the Holy Prophet Elisha and published it in 1925. People would gather in this chapel not only because the liturgist was Saint Nicholas Planas, but they also wanted to hear the two greatest literary figures of Greece sing hymns to God, Moraitides from the left and Papadiamantis from the right.

Read also: Church of the Prophet Elisha in Monasteraki (Where St. Nicholas Planas Liturgized Daily)

2. Church of the Prophet Elisha in Dorio of Messenia

This church was built in 1995 and consecrated in 2012. It was the result of a vow made by Elias Liakopoulos, who having deep faith in God, often went to the Holy Land, and came to know Abbot Gabriel of the Monastery of the Prophet Elisha in Jericho. Abbot Gabriel expressed to Elias his deep desire to have a church to the Prophet Elisha in Greece. Therefore Elias undertook the task and built it in Gouvalaria of Dorio. Unfortunately, by the time the church was consecrated in 2012, Elias had passed away, but members of his family were present.

3. Chapel of the Prophet Elisha in Kranidi of Argolis

This chapel was built in 1867, and a vigil is kept here annually on the feast of the Prophet Elisha, which is June 14th. Because the Prophet Elisha is noted in Scripture as being a healer of leprosy, many lepers would gather here on the feast of the Prophet around 100 years ago seeking to be healed.

It was also believed by the locals that if you worked on the feast of the Prophet, God would punish you and your animals with rabies. This is because in Greek, the name Elisha is Elissaios, which Greeks thought came from the word lyssa, which means rabies. If you got rabies from an animal on the feast of the Saint for working, only the Prophet could heal you.

In Kranidi it was also believed that the Prophet protected you from smallpox. In the olden days, if you had smallpox you were shut in your house and no one was allowed to see you. You were given food through the window of your house. Then you were taken to the Chapel of the Prophet Elisha and locked inside for a short time, being taken care of by relatives. The sick person would then emerge from the church healed.

Many people in the village are named Elisha or some derivative, whom they consider a small saint but with great glory.

4. Church of the Prophet Elisha in Chania of Crete

The Church of the Prophet Elias near the Graves of Venizeli, at Akrotiri, is located in Froudia and is just two kilometers from the city of Chania. Initially, during the Venetian period here was built the shrine of the Prophet Elisha. The smaller south aisle of the church was built, dedicated to the Prophet Elisha. During the 16th century, the larger church of Prophet Elias was added after the construction of an arched opening on the original north wall.

The Church of the Prophet Elias was destroyed in the bombing of the hill in 1897 by the Great Powers and restored at the expense of the Tsar of Russia, who considered that the explosion of a cannon on the Russian flagship was the punishment of the Prophet Elias for the destruction of the temple. At later times, the church was renovated, thereby altering its original form.

5. Church of the Prophet Elisha in Kamenitsa (Alissos) of Achaea

This church was built over an older Post-Byzantine church. Today it celebrates annually on the feast of the Prophet. The village in which it is located is called Profitis Ellissaios, after the Prophet.

6. Church of the Prophet Elisha in Upper Karveli of Kalamata

From Upper Karveli you can climb the summit of Mount Profitis Ellissaios at the Taygetus mountains (there is also a summit here called Mount Profitis Elias), where you will find a church dedicated to the Prophet Elisha, 1,000 meters high. This church dates back to around the 12th century, when a plague struck Messenia causing many deaths. This church was built to protect Kalamata from the plague traveling over the mountains to the surrounding villages, for they believed the Prophet Elisha could thwart away the plague. Here they would come annually, and still do, on Bright Thursday after Easter to celebrate, for this is the day they believe that back in the 12th century they came and prayed for release from the plague, and the plague miraculously vanished. On this day lambs are slaughtered and eaten to celebrate.

7. Chapel of the Prophet Elisha in Evia

This chapel was built by Metropolitan Panteleimon Papageorgiou of Thessaloniki in 1936, when he was the Bishop of Talantiou, and it is located in Evia which is under the Metropolis of Karystia and Skyros. The Prophet Elisha was the patron saint of Metropolitan Panteleimon.

What Sirach Said About Elisha the Prophet

Below is an excerpt from the Book of the All-Virtuous Wisdom of Joshua ben Sirach, also known as Ecclesiasticus, chapter 48:12-16:

Elijah was covered by the whirlwind, and Elisha was filled with his spirit.* In his time, he didn’t tremble before any ruler, and no one oppressed him. Nothing was too great for him, and in death his body prophesied.** During his life, he performed wonders, and in death his accomplishments were marvelous.

Placement of the Relics and Garments of the Apostles Luke, Andrew and Thomas, the Prophet Elisha, and Martyr Lazarus in the Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople

An image from a Vatican Codex Vat.gr.1162 (11th century) believed to be a representation of the Church of the Holy Apostles.

The original Church of the Holy Apostles was dedicated in about 330 by Constantine the Great, the founder of Constantinople, the new capital of the Roman Empire. The church was unfinished when Constantine died in 337, and it was brought to completion by his son and successor Constantius II, who buried his father's remains there. The church was dedicated to the Twelve Apostles of Jesus, and it was the Emperor's intention to gather relics of all the Apostles in the church. For this undertaking, only relics of Saint Andrew, Saint Luke and Saint Timothy were acquired, in 336, and in later centuries it came to be assumed that the church was dedicated to these three only, although it did contain many other relics.

The Relics of the Holy Prophet Elisha

The raising of the dead man at the tomb of Elisha the Prophet

In 2 Kings 13:20-21 we read:

"Elisha died and was buried. Now Moabite raiders used to enter the country every spring. Once while some Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders; so they threw the man’s body into Elisha’s tomb. When the body touched Elisha’s bones, the man came to life and stood up on his feet."

Thus, while Elisha worked many wonders and miracles, including the resurrection of the dead, in life, the same he also did through the grace of God after death by means of his relics.

Elisha was buried in Samaria, which is also called Sebaste in Greek. Later Saint John the Baptist was buried in between Elisha and the Prophet Obadiah. In Letter 108 of Saint Jerome, where he speaks of the Saint Paula visiting these tombs, he describes it as follows:

Prophet Elisha Resource Page

Holy Prophet Elisha (Feast Day - June 14)

Verses

The horses of Elias, as noetic horses,
Opened the heavens, for the double-portion of Elias.
On the fourteenth the pleasant portion fell upon Elisha.

Holy Prophet Elisha

Holy Prophet Elisha as a Model for our Lives

June: Day 14: Holy Prophet Elisha

What Sirach Said About Elisha the Prophet

The Prophetic Schools in Ancient Israel

The Axe Head of the Prophet Elisha as a Foreshadowing of the Cross

Elisha the Prophet and the Syrian Army (video)

 

Short Film: "Naaman and Elisha" (2013) 

 

Why the Prophet Elisha is Commemorated on June 14th 

 

The Relics of the Holy Prophet Elisha 

 

Placement of the Relics and Garments of the Apostles Luke, Andrew and Thomas, the Prophet Elisha, and Martyr Lazarus in the Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople 

 

Open Letter to Every Fellow Traveler Who Thirsts for Truth 

 

7 Greek Shrines Dedicated to the Prophet Elisha 

 

Church of the Prophet Elisha in Monasteraki (Where St. Nicholas Planas Liturgized Daily) 

 

The Chapel of the Prophet Elisha in Athens: A Monument of True and Unadulterated Orthodoxy

 

Prophet Elijah (Elias) Resource Page

Open Letter to Every Fellow Traveler Who Thirsts for Truth

By Monk Christodoulos Gregoriates

In this letter, I visit you beloved reader to remind you of two soul-saving stories from the Old Testament which have the purpose of becoming a compass of truths in your life travels.

One day the Military General of Syria, Naaman, visited the Prophet Elisha to heal him from the illness of leprosy (4 Kings 5). Through a third party the Prophet Elisha told Naaman to go under the waters of the Jordan River seven times and he would be healed. Naaman however left angrily saying, "I thought that this person would come to visit me, stand over me in prayer and call on his God, and then put his hand on my ill body and heal me. Are not the rivers of Abana and Pharpar in Damascus better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not go under these waters and be healed?" His soldiers drew near and said, "The prophet did not tell you to do something very hard or impossible." And they made him follow the commandment of the prophet. Truly, Naaman believed. He went to the river Jordan, immersed himself seven times, and his body was cleansed of leprosy. His skin became like that of a small child. Yet from Naaman, the leprosy went to Prophet Elisha's1 servant, Gehazi. It went to Gehazi because he secretly ran to Naaman and received an unlawful gift for the miraculous healing and then concealed his sin from the prophet with a silly lie.

Holy Prophet Elisha as a Model for our Lives

Holy Prophet Elisha (Feast Day - June 14)

By Protopresbyter Fr. George Papavarnavas

In the language of the Orthodox Church, a prophet is a theologian, namely a God-seer. It is someone who "in the Holy Spirit" sees God and has a personal experience of His existence and love. "From the Holy Spirit springs forth all wisdom ... and the prophets behold" and preach what they saw, heard and touched; "which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched" (1 Jn. 1:1). It is someone who internally experiences the Grace of the Holy Spirit and feels it inundating their entire existence, "He who believes in Me from his innermost being will flow rivers of living water" (Jn. 7:38), and their words have power, they are life-creating, regenerating and "seasoned with salt," going straight to the heart. Does it not also happen to us, when we hear the homily of a saint and feel touched in our soul because it goes straight to our heart? The words of the God-seeing saints bring contrition to the soul, an appetite and taste for prayer, it creates inspiration and leads to repentance. They are the words of the Holy Spirit, Who speaks through their mouths: "And in the Holy Spirit ... Who spoke through the prophets."

Holy Prophet Elisha

Holy Elisha the Prophet (Feast Day - June 14)

The Holy Prophet Elisha 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 (Elijah - July 20).

When it became time for the Prophet Elias to be taken up to Heaven, he said to Elisha, "Ask what shall I do for you, before I am taken from you." Elisha 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 don't see me, it will not be" (4 [2] Kings 2: 12). As they went along the way talking, there appeared a fiery chariot and horses and separated them both. Elisha cried out, "My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horse!" (4 Kings 2: 12). Picking up the mantle of his teacher which fell from the sky, Elisha 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 Elisha lived, he did not tremble before any prince, and no word could overcome him (Sirach 48:13).

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. The 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 on the sly.

Elisha 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 Elisha 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 Elisha's bones, he came to life and stood up (4 Kings 13: 20-21). The Prophet Elisha 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 honor of the Prophet Elisha, and at Constantinople a church was built in his honor.

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

In the twentieth century, the humble priest Nicholas Planas had a great veneration for the Prophet Elisha, and was accounted worthy to see him in visions.

Source

Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone

The incarnate Angel, and the Prophets' summit and boast, the second forerunner of the coming of Christ our God, Elias, the glorious, from above sent down his grace upon Elisseus; he doth cast out sickness and doth also cleanse lepers; and unto all that honour him, he poureth forth streams of cures.

Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone

A prophet of God didst thou become when worthily thou hadst been vouchsafed a double portion of God's grace as Elias' true companion, O Elisha, divinely-blest; and with him, thou unceasingly entreatest Christ God in behalf of us all.

Elisha the Prophet and the Syrian Army (video)

Moody Bible Institute Filmstrip from 1955.

Church of the Prophet Elisha in Monasteraki (Where St. Nicholas Planas Liturgized Daily)

In the area of Monastiraki in Athens, across from Hadrian's Library, lies hidden a small church named Agiou Elissaiou (Saint Elisha), dedicated to the Prophet Elisha. It was probably built in the mid-17th century.

Nicholas Logothetis was from the island of Kea, who at a young age came to work for the Admiral of the Ottoman fleet, Pasha Tzanoum Hotza, and followed him in his campaigns. Eventually the young man fell into disfavor with the Admiral, and to escape his anger he fled to Athens and hid at Penteli Monastery. He managed to reconcile with Tzanoum Hotza, and helped him to capture Venetian Tinos. Later Nicholas Logothetis married the daughter of Bernard Kapetanaki, Consul of Great Britain, and they moved to Athens. Logothetis himself became the Consul of Great Britain, and built a beautiful mansion on Areos Street in Monastiraki, called the Logothetis Mansion, situated next to the Ottoman bazaar. The Logothetis Mansion was one of the few Greek mansions of the area. Interestingly it was from the courtyard of this mansion that Lord Elgin packaged the Parthenon marbles from the Acropolis. And in this same courtyard was the location of the Church of the Prophet Elisha, who was the patron of the Logothetis family.

It was in this church that St. Nicholas Planas (1851-1932) liturgized daily, with the two famous Greek authors from Skiathos, Alexandros Papadiamantis (1851-1911) who chanted in the right choir and Alexander Moraitidis (1850-1929) in the left choir.

During World War 2 the owner of the Logothetis Mansion was Hercules Kazakos, Commander of the Navy. The Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities was preparing to declare the church a protected historical monument. Hercules Kazakos, fearing that he will lose the plot in such a case, decided to tear down the church and all the remnants of the old mansion. Despite the reactions of the archaeologist and architect Anastasios Orlandos, Kazakos demolished the Church of the Prophet Elisha. This happened because the Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities first sued Kazakos for allowing it to fall into ruin and then declared it a protected church during the time of its demolition. It took sixty-two years to restore the Church of the Prophet Elisha, and just in 2005 the church was reestablished. The church is still there on Areos Street in Monastiraki, in the former courtyard of Logothetis Mansion.

See a video of the chapel here.