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 (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 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. Elisha 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, 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 [“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.
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.
