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The Cult of Saints in Late Antiquity


from its origins to circa AD 700, across the entire Christian world


Name

Elijah/Elias, Old Testament prophet

Saint ID

S00217

Reported Death Not After

1

Gender
Male
Type of Saint
Old Testament saints, Miracle-workers in lifetime
Related Evidence Records
IDTitle
E00141Coptic Life of *Pisenthios (ascetic and bishop of Koptos, ob. 632, S00057), from Edfu (Upper Egypt), attributed to his disciple, John the Presbyter, and presented on his feast day (7 July), mentioning his exceptional humility as a monk and bishop, his ability to perform miracles in life, his healing power, as well as his ability to converse with and intercede on behalf of the dead; 7th c. or later.
E00412The Piacenza Pilgrim mentions offerings and miracles in the house in Sarepta (biblical Zarephath, Phoenicia), in which *Elijah/Elias (Old Testament prophet, S00217) had stayed. Account of an anonymous pilgrim, written in Latin, probably in Placentia (northern Italy), c. 560.
E00417The Piacenza Pilgrim records his visit to the Baths of *Elijah/Elias (Old Testament prophet, S00217) near Gadara (Palestine), where incubation is practised and healings occur. Account of an anonymous pilgrim, written in Latin, probably in Placentia (northern Italy), c. 560.
E00450The Piacenza Pilgrim records his visit to the place from which the *Elijah/Elias (Old Testament prophet, S00217) was taken into heaven, and mentions a miraculous cloud which travels from the river Jordan to sit over the basilica of *Mary (Mother of Christ, S00033), and of *Sophia (personified Holy Wisdom, S00705) in Jerusalem. Account of an anonymous pilgrim, written in Latin, probably in Placentia (northern Italy), c. 560.
E00509The Piacenza Pilgrim records his visit to oratories of *Moses (Old Testament prophet and lawgiver, S00241) and of *Elijah/Elias (Old Testament prophet, S00217), marking the places where the Israelites entered and left the Red Sea. Account of an anonymous pilgrim, written in Latin, probably in Placentia (northern Italy), c. 560.
E00720Inscription with prayer in Greek, from a church in Kasossos near Mylasa (Caria, western Asia Minor). Refers to saints and other holy figures: *Abraham (Old Testament patriarch, S00275), *Jacob (Old Testament patriarch, S00280), *Moses (Old Testament prophet and lawgiver, S00241), *Elijah (Old Testament prophet, S00217), *Elisha (Old Testament prophet, S00239), the Apostles *Peter (S00036) and *Paul (S00008), other unnamed Apostles (S00084), unnamed Confessors (S00184), *George (soldier and martyr, S00259), *Stephen (the First Martyr, S00030), and a virgin *Eirene (possibly the martyr of Magedon, S02162). Probably late antique (6th/8th c.) or later.
E01069Label of a tomb of a sacristan of a church of *Elijah (probably the Old Testament prophet, S00217). Found at Korykos/Corycus (Cilicia, south-east Asia Minor). Probably late 5th or 6th c.
E01258Greek inscription with an invocation of the God of Enoch (the Old Testament patriarch, S00762) and *Elijah (the Old Testament prophet, S00217). Found near Kamari on the island of Thera/modern Santorini (Aegean Islands). Probably late antique.
E01318A lead leaf and a lead tablet with similar Greek popular exorcisms, invoking *Michael (the Archangel, S00181), *Mary (Mother of Christ, S00033), *Ouriel (the Archangel, S00770), *Raphael (the Archangel, S00481), *Enoch (Old Testament patriarch, S00762), *Elijah (Old Testament prophet, S00217), and *Isaiah (Old Testament prophet, S00282). Said to have been found near Trikomo (Cyprus). Probably 7th-8th c.
E01461Greek, Syriac, and Arabic graffiti from so-called Basilica A/the 'Great Basilica' in Rusafa/Sergioupolis (north-east Syria/Euphratesia), a major place of the cult of *Sergios (soldier and martyr of Rusafa, S00023), with invocations of Sergios, and of other saints and Old Testament figures. From the 6th c. onwards.
E01691Greek inscription with the names of a saint *Paphnoutios (of uncertain identity, S00882), and possibly *Elijah (Old Testament prophet, S00217). Found in the ruins of an abandoned fort at Dreyb al-Wawi (Khirbet al-Wawi), near Chalkis and Beroia/Aleppo (north Syria). Dated 535/536.
E01696Greek inscription on a boundary stone commemorating the grant of the privilege of asylum (prosphygion) to a shrine of *'Eias' (perhaps an otherwise unknown martyr, or the Old Testament prophet *Elijah/Elias, S00217), a certain *Andreas (probably the martyr of Antioch, S00883), and a certain *Dometios (probably the monk of Syria, later 4th c., S00414). Found at Kfar 'Aruq near Antioch on the Orontes (north-west Syria). Dated 521/522.
E01731A Coptic list of holy books belonging to the monastery of Apa *Elijah/Elias (probably the Old Testament prophet, S00217) 'on the mountain', presumably at Aphroditopolis/Atfih (Middle Egypt), lists a papyrus manuscript containing the Martyrdom of *Philotheos (presumably the child martyr of Antioch, S00878); list datable to the 7th/8th century.
E01732A Coptic list of holy books belonging to the monastery of Apa *Elijah/Elias (probably the Old Testament prophet, S00217) 'on the mountain', presumably at Aphroditopolis/Atfih (Middle Egypt), lists a papyrus manuscript containing the Life of *Pachomios (Egyptian monastic founder, ob. 346, S00352); list datable to the 7th/8th c.
E01733A Coptic list of holy books belonging to the monastery of Apa *Elijah/Elias (probably the Old Testament prophet, S00217) 'on the mountain', presumably at Aphroditopolis/Atfih (Middle Egypt), lists a papyrus manuscripts containing the Lives of *Epiphanios (probably the bishop of Salamis, ob. 403, S00093) and *Petros (possibly Peter II, patriarch of Alexandria, ob. 381, S02927), as well as Encomia by Athanasius of Alexandria and others; list datable to the 7th/8th century.
E01734A Coptic list of holy books belonging to the monastery of Apa *Elijah/Elias (probably the Old Testament prophet, S00217) 'on the mountain', presumably at Aphroditopolis/Atfih (Middle Egypt), lists a papyrus manuscript containing the Life of Mary (possibly *Mary of Egypt, S00903); list datable to the 7th/8th century.
E01735A Coptic list of holy books belonging to the monastery of Apa *Elijah/Elias (probably the Old Testament prophet, S00217) 'on the mountain', presumably at Aphroditopolis/Atfih (Middle Egypt), lists a papyrus manuscript containing the Martyrdoms of three, presumably Egyptian, martyrs: *Epithymitos (S00894), *Elijah (S00668), and *Sabinos (S00895), and unspecified others; list datable to the 7th/8th century.
E01736A Coptic list of holy books belonging to the monastery of Apa *Elijah/Elias (probably the Old Testament prophet, S00217) 'on the mountain', presumably at Aphroditopolis/Atfih (Middle Egypt), lists a papyrus manuscript containing the Life of *Makarios ('the Egyptian', monastic founder in the Sketis, ob. 391, S00863); list datable to the 7th/8th century.
E01737A Coptic list of holy books belonging to the monastery of Apa *Elijah/Elias (probably the Old Testament prophet, S00217) 'on the mountain', presumably at Aphroditopolis/Atfih (Middle Egypt), lists a papyrus manuscript containing 'an encomion by Apa Gregorios on Basileios', presumably the Oration on *Basil of Caesarea (S00780) by Gregory of Nyssa. List datable to the 7th/8th century.
E01738A Coptic list of holy books belonging to the monastery of Apa *Elijah/Elias (probably the Old Testament prophet, S00217) 'on the mountain', presumably at Aphroditopolis/Atfih (Middle Egypt), lists a papyrus manuscript containing an 'encomion by Apa Severianos on Iohannes of Constantinople', probably *John Chrysostom (bishop of Constantinople, ob. 407, S00779); list datable to the 7th/8th century.
E01739A Coptic list of holy books belonging to the monastery of Apa *Elijah/Elias (probably the Old Testament prophet, S00217) 'on the mountain', presumably at Aphroditopolis/Atfih (Middle Egypt), lists a papyrus manuscript containing the Martyrdom of *Leontios (probably the martyr of Tripolis, Phoenicia, S00216); list datable to the 7th/8th century.
E01740A Coptic list of holy books belonging to the monastery of Apa *Elijah/Elias (probably the Old Testament prophet, S00217) 'on the mountain', presumably at Aphroditopolis/Atfih (Middle Egypt), lists a papyrus manuscript containing an encomion by Apa Konstantinos on *Shenoute (abbot of the White Monastery, ob. c. 465, S00688), datable to the 7th/8th c.
E01741A Coptic list of holy books belonging to the monastery of Apa *Elijah/Elias (probably the Old Testament prophet, S00217) 'on the mountain', presumably at Aphroditopolis/Atfih (Middle Egypt), lists a papyrus manuscript containing the Life of *Makrina ('the Younger', ascetic of Pontus, S00899), presumably the Life written by Gregory of Nyssa; datable to the 7th/8th century.
E01742A Coptic list of holy books belonging to the monastery of Apa *Elijah/Elias (probably the Old Testament prophet, S00217) 'on the mountain', presumably at Aphroditopolis/Atfih (Middle Egypt), lists a papyrus manuscript containing a Martyrdom of *John the Baptist (S00020); list datable to the 7th/8th century.
E01743A Coptic list of holy books belonging to the monastery of Apa *Elijah/Elias (probably the Old Testament prophet, S00217) 'on the mountain', presumably at Aphroditopolis/Atfih (Middle Egypt), lists a papyrus manuscript containing the Martyrdom of *Petros (bishop and martyr of Alexandria, S00247); list datable to the 7th/8th century.
E02086Greek inscription commemorating the foundation of a church (oikia) of *Elijah/Elias (Old Testament prophet, S00217). Found at Ṣalākhed in the Lajat region, to the south-east of Damascus (south-east Syria/north-east Roman province of Arabia). Dated, probably 586/587 or 589/590.
E02116Three Greek inscriptions from the church (naos) of *Elijah/Elias (Old Testament prophet, S00217), commemorating its construction by villagers under a bishop who died of the bubonic plague, and probably the burial of a local aristocrat devoted to the saint. Found at Izra/Zorava to the northwest of Bostra (Roman province of Arabia). One inscription is dated 542/543.
E02174Greek building inscription for a memorial shrine (martyrion) of *Elijah/Elias (probably the Old Testament prophet, S00217), constructed by an homonymous donor. Found at Al-Jāj, to the southeast of Lubbein, between Bostra and Aere (Roman province of Arabia). Probably 5th-7th c.
E02193Poorly carved Greek inscription, just possibly invoking the blessing of *Elijah (Old Testament prophet, S00217) as a prophet and intercessor. Found at Deir al-Jūwānī/Deir Dāmī to the northeast of Damatha/Damath el-Alya and to the northwest of Bostra (Roman province of Arabia). Probably late antique.
E02194Fragmentary Greek inscription commemorating the construction of a church (naos) dedicated to *Elijah/Elias (probably the Old Testament prophet, S00217). Found at Nejrān to the north-west of Bostra (Roman province of Arabia). Dated 563/564.
E02206Greek building inscription for a church (oikos) dedicated to *Elijah/Elias (Old Testament prophet, S00217). Found at Jdīyeh, to the north of Bostra and Dionysias (Roman province of Arabia). Probably 6th c.
E02213Greek inscription just possibly referring to *Elijah (Old Testament prophet, S00217). Found at Rīmet al-Loḥf (ancient Rimea), to the north of Dionysias and Bostra (Roman province of Arabia). Probably 6th c.
E02215Greek inscription just possibly referring to *Elijah (Old Testament prophet, S00217). Found at Breikeh (ancient Borechath Sabaon), to the north of Dionysias and Bostra (Roman province of Arabia). Dated 505/506.
E02464Floor-mosaics with Greek inscriptions from a church with a crypt, mentioning *Elijah/Elias (Old Testament prophet, S00217), declaring his aid for the construction of the sanctuary, invoking his intercession for rain, and mentioning a 'presbyter of Saint Ailianos' (probably *Elianos, martyr of Philadelphia/Amman, S00889). Found at Madaba (Roman province of Arabia). Dated 595/596 (crypt) and 607/608 (upper church).
E02620Greek inscription commemorating the construction of an oratory (eukterion) dedicated to *Elijah/Elias (Old Testament prophet, S00217), and another saint whose name is lost. Found at Sala/Saleh, near Bostra (Roman province of Arabia). Dated 547/548.
E02657Coptic Apocalypse of *Elijah (Old Testament prophet, S00217), from Akhmim/Panopolis (Upper Egypt), pronouncing a false and deceitful Christ to be the enemy of the saints, who are essential to life on earth and who are in company with the true Christ; datable to the 4th century.
E02692A grotto and a church reportedly dedicated to *John the Baptist (S00217) or *Elijah/Elias (Old Testament prophet, S00020) at Sapsaphas/Wadi-Kharrar (= Ainon/Betharaba in Bethany, Palaestina I). Possibly with a Greek floor mosaic inscription referring to the saint(s). Probably late antique.
E02830Clay lamps with Greek inscriptions with names of saints: *Elijah/Elias (Old Testament prophet, S00217) and *Mary (Mother of Christ, S00033). Found at Jerusalem (Roman province of Palaestina I). Probably late 5th - early 8th c.
E03137Floor-mosaics with Greek inscriptions commemorating the paving of a church in a monastery dedicated to *Elijah/Elias (Old Testament prophet, S00217), and mentioning a presbyter, possibly of a church of *Mary (Mother of Christ, S00033). Found at Kissufim (Kibbutz Magen/Tell Jamma) in the north-west Negev desert, to the south-east of Gaza (Roman province of Palaestina I). Dated 576.
E03203The early seventh-century Georgian version of the Lectionary of Jerusalem commemorates on 22 June, at the church of *Michael (the Archangel, S00181), *Elijah/Elias (Old Testament prophet, S00217) and the deposition of the relics of *Elishah (Old Testament prophet, S00239) and *Obadiah (Old Testament prophet, S01420).
E03387The early seventh-century Georgian version of the Lectionary of Jerusalem commemorates on 29 September *John the Baptist (S00020) and *Elijah/Elias (Old Testament prophet, S00217).
E03515Floor-mosaic with a fragmentary Greek inscription probably commemorating the construction or a restoration of a basilica and invoking Saint Elijah/Elias (Old Testament prophet, S00217). Found at the monastery of Khirbat Mar Elyas/Mar Liyas/Deir el-Liyas on Jabal Ajlun, near Gerasa/Jerash and Pella (Roman province of Palaestina II). Dated probably 623/624.
E03778The Church Calendar of Ioane Zosime, compiled in Georgian in the 10th c., based however on 5th-7th c. prototypes from Palestine, commemorates on 22 June the church of *Michael (the Archangel, S00181), *Elijah/Elias (Old Testament prophet, S00217) and the deposition of the relics of *Elishah (Old Testament prophet, S00239) and *Obadiah (Old Testament prophet, S01420), and *Eusebios (bishop of Samosata and confessor under Valens, S01663).
E03806The Church Calendar of Ioane Zosime, compiled in Georgian in the 10th c., based however on 5th-7th c. prototypes from Palestine, commemorates on 20 July *Thomas (the Apostle, S00199), *Elijah/Elias (Old Testament prophet, S00217), *Christina (martyr of Tyre, S00907), and of the *Archangels (S00191).
E03854The Church Calendar of Ioane Zosime, compiled in Georgian in the 10th c., based however on 5th-7th c. prototypes from Palestine, commemorates on 3 September *Aaron (Old Testament prophet, S01427), *Eleazar (Old Testament priest, son of Aaron, S01489) and *Phineas (Old Testament priest, grandson of Aaron, S01490), the ascension of *Elijah/Elias (Old Testament prophet, S00217), *Theoktistos (hermit and follower of Euthymios the Great, S01622), and *Joshua (Old Testament leader of the Israelites, S00258), and *Anthimos (bishop and martyr of Nicomedia, S00124).
E04001Floor-mosaic with a Greek inscription, possibly labelling a lost image of *Elijah/Elias (Old Testament prophet, S00217). Found in a monastic complex at Hit (Ḥeiṭ) in the Yarmouk Valley, on the east side of Wadi Alan, near Dion/Tell al-Achari (Roman province of Arabia). Probably 5th-6th c.
E04457Gregory the Great, in his Dialogues, recounts a number of miraculous stories, and considers the nature of miracles. Written in Latin in Rome, c. 593.
E04576The so-called Cave of Elijah on Mount Carmel near modern Haifa (Roman province of Phoenicia), housing approximately 200 visitors' graffiti in Greek, Latin, Hebrew, and Arabic, is sometimes considered a memorial shrine of *Elijah/Elias (Old Testament Prophet, S00217). There is no reliable evidence to suggest Christian presence at the site in Late Antiquity.
E05196The pilgrim Egeria, in her Itinerary, describes her visit to a church at the cave of *Elijah/Elias (Old Testament prophet, S00241), on Mount Horeb/Sinai (Sinai Peninsula). Written in Latin during Egeria's journey to the East, probably in 381-384.
E05555Venantius Fortunatus writes eleven books of Poems in Latin, mainly in western and north-western Gaul, 565/600; many of them with reference to saints. Overview entry.
E06060Adomnán, in his Life of *Columba (abbot of Iona, ob. 597, S02167), describes how Columba brought a dead child back to life, thus equalling the prophets *Elijah and *Elisha (S00217 and S00239] and the apostles *Peter (S00036), *Paul (S00008) and *John (S00042). Written in Latin at Iona, 696/704.
E06132Muirchú's Life of *Patrick (missionary and bishop of Ireland, 5th c., S01962) is set in Ireland, Britain and Gaul, and records in two books the saint's deeds, miracles and death. Written in Latin, probably at Armagh (north-east Ireland), 661/700, probably after c. 675/80. Overview entry
E06245Venantius Fortunatus, in a poem on virginity (8.3), when describing the court of heaven lists numerous saints with the cities of their resting-place. Written in Latin in Gaul, probably in the early 570s.
E06344Gregory the Great in a papal letter (Register 3.37) of 593, to Libertinus, praetor of Sicily, seeks the punishment of a Jew who has set up an altar to *Helias/Elijah (Old Testament prophet, S00239), and tricked many Christians into praying there. Written in Latin in Rome.
E06476Jerome, in his Letter 108, describes how Paula travelled through Phoenicia in 385/6 and visited the 'tower' of *Elijah (Old Testament prophet, S00217) at Sarepta. Written in Latin in Bethlehem (Palestine), 404.
E06535Aldhelm, in his prose On Virginity, names *Elijah (Old Testament prophet, S00217) as an exemplary virgin. Written in Latin in southern Britain, for the nuns at the monastery at Barking (south-east Britain), c. 675/686.
E06659Aldhelm's verse On Virginity lists a range of saints as exemplary virgins, with some variations to the list found in the earlier prose version of the same treatise. Written in Latin in southern Britain, for the nuns at the monastery at Barking (south-east Britain), c. 675/710. Overview entry
E07844Venantius Fortunatus, in a poetic epitaph (4.26) for a young woman named Vilithuta (Poem 4.26), depicts patriarchs, apostles, and celebrated virginal saints taking part in the judgement of sinners after death, mentioning *Elijah (Old Testament prophet, S00217), *Enoch (Old Testament Patriarch, S00762), *Peter (the Apostle, S00036), *Stephen (the First Martyr, S00030), *Mary (the Mother of Christ, S00033), *Agnes (virgin and martyr of Rome, S00097), *Thekla (follower of the Apostle Paul, S00092), and *Agatha (virgin and martyr of Catania, S00794). Written in Latin in Gaul, 565/576.
E07935Theodosius, in his On the Topography of the Holy Land, notes the presence of a church of *Elijah/Elias (Old Testament prophet, S00217) at Sarepta (biblical Zarephath, Phoenicia), where the widow fed him and the prophet healed her son. Written in Latin, perhaps in Africa, 518/540.
E0831535 relic labels at Sens (northern Gaul), datable by their script to the 7th or 8th c., for relics of a great diversity of saints. Written in Latin, perhaps at Sens, or at an earlier stage in their transmission.
E08421A fragmentary papyrus document from Ravenna (north-east Italy) records a grant to a church at Nepi (central Italy) dedicated to *Mary (mother of Christ, S00033), and refers to monastic dedications to *Elijah/Elias (probably the Old Testament prophet, S00217) and (at the same or a separate monastery?) *Stephen (the First Martyr, S00030). Written in Latin, at Nepi or Rome, in or after June 557.