The Fiery Ascension of the Prophet Elijah to Heaven with 16 Scenes from His Life. Wooden orthodox icon.
Original icon: late 18th century, Palekh.
Prophet Elijah is one of the Old Testament prophets who lived during the time of the Israeli kings Ahab and Ahaziah (9th century BC); teacher of the prophet Elisha, to whom he passed on his gift of prophecy. Judging by his nickname "Thesbite", he was a native of the city of Thisbe in Galilee. He enjoyed great veneration in Ancient Rus', since, based on biblical texts, the popular consciousness attributed to him power over the elements: according to the word of the prophet Elijah, who denounced the wicked king Ahab, a three-year drought began on the earth. At the end of his life, the prophet Elijah was taken to heaven in the flesh, ascending on a fiery chariot, and this episode has traditionally been viewed as a prototype of the future Resurrection of Christ and the Ascension of the Mother of God, as a symbolic expression of the continuity of the Old and New Testaments.
The icon is made by printing on a wooden board. Paints are mineral, do not fade with time. The thickness of the board is 2 cm. The board is covered with primer by hand. The image is covered with wax. Each icon has a metal mount on the back side so that you can hang the icon on the wall.
