Today, July 20, the Church honors the memory of the Prophet Elijah, who lived and worked in 90-100 BC. He was a very active and dynamic representative of God and because of his way of life all the churches dedicated to him are located on top of mountains and hills.
Elijah the Thesbite was an Israelite prophet of God, the son of Shobach, and he came from the village of Thesvi in Gilead. His name is a Greek translation of the corresponding Hebrew name Elijah (אליהו), which means "My God is Jehovah", while references to the prophet Elijah are also contained in the Qur'an.
In many areas, especially in Thrace and Macedonia, the prophet Elijah was considered the master of rain, thunder and lightning, while his name was associated with the hot summer sun and summer showers, due to the nature of the prophet Elijah as regulator of weather conditions, according to the Old Testament.
The miracles of the prophet mentioned in the Old Testament are many and are connected with his capacity as a regulator of the weather conditions, since he is the one who sent fire down from heaven three times, prevented the rain and did not rain for three and a half years, resurrected her dead son Seraphia widow and burned the hundred men sent by King Ochozias. He also saw God on Mount Horeb and tore the Jordan River and ascended in a chariot of fire to heaven, leaving his disciple Elisha to continue his work and in the Transfiguration of Christ he stood beside Him with Moses.
However, the reason why his churches are built on the mountain is related to the popular tradition that states that Ai-Lias was a sailor who was tried many times by the sea to drown him and when he got tired of traveling, he decided to find a place where they do not know what is sea and boat. So, according to tradition, he took a paddle on his shoulder and pulled for land and whoever he met asked him what he was holding in his hands and as long as they answered "paddle", he pulled higher. When he once reached a high mountain he met a shepherd and asked him what he was wearing. The shepherd looked at it carefully and then said "it is wood". Ai-Lias laughed contentedly and has since stayed close to the people of the mountains and according to tradition, he narrows the oar, builds a hut and decides to stay there all his life. That is why Saint Elias is always taken to the heights ".
On the 20th of July, when the memory of the prophet is celebrated, we do not celebrate the sleep, -because the prophet never died- but his ascension. Specifically, the apostle Paul states that the Prophet Elijah was not ascended to heaven like the Lord, but God revealed that he was ascended and lives on earth with his perishable body, thousands of years now.
The chapel of Prophet Elias is built on the steep rock
dominates the area of Protaras. It was built in 1984 in replacement
pre-existing small chapel of Byzantine style. To get to
chapel you have to climb a steep stone staircase with 153 steps.
A park has been set up near the hill, where visitors can
to rest. It is a pole of attraction for both locals and
tourists. In the evenings the hill with the church is illuminated
and creates an exquisite spectacle. Where the view is breathtaking it is towards
North. You look with emotion at Famagusta, the Pentadaktylos, the
Karpasia, the occupied Cypriot land. It is held every year on the 20th of July
Brilliant festival with the influx of thousands of believers.
Source: www.iefimerida.gr, www.bigcyprus.com.cy
