Why is the prophet Elijah the patron of the airborne forces. Policemen should pray to Saint Prince Dmitry

Since the times of Ancient Rus', Elijah's Day has been considered one of the main Christian holidays of the year. On August 2, it is customary to honor the prophet Elijah, who lived in the Kingdom of Israel in the 9th century BC. According to legend, he was a zealous champion of Judaism and devoted his life to denouncing idolatry. Among some peoples, Ilya, like the ancient god Perun, is considered a thunderer. In addition, the saint is the heavenly patron of the Airborne Forces, which celebrate their birthday on August 2.

Why Ilya the Prophet is the patron of the Airborne Forces

On August 2, Russia celebrates one of the most beloved holidays by the people - Airborne Forces Day. Soldiers in blue berets celebrate it widely, and those of them who consider themselves Orthodox say, not without pride, that on the same day the Church remembers the prophet Elijah. Therefore, recently the saint is increasingly called the patron saint of airborne troops. This is not surprising, because in the Christian religion Ilya is revered as an “air warrior.” According to legend, God's prophet, who lived 900 years before the birth of Christ, has not died to this day. He ascended to heaven in a chariot of fire.

Why did Elijah the Prophet drag away an hour and throw a piece of ice into the water?

Since ancient times, many folk proverbs and sayings have been associated with the name of the prophet. One of them - “Ilya the prophet dragged away for two hours” - is associated with a change in the length of daylight hours. It was believed that after July 12, when the feast of the apostles Peter and Paul is celebrated, it is shortened by an hour (“Peter and Paul reduced the hour”), and after Ilyin’s day - by two.

Ilyin's Day is a kind of boundary between summer and autumn. From August 2, according to the popular calendar, cold matinees began, and the water was considered unsuitable for swimming. This was often explained by the fact that a deer dipped the horns or hooves of a deer in it, or the saint himself threw a piece of ice into the water (hence the proverbs “Ilya the Prophet threw a piece of ice into the water”, “Ilya the Prophet dropped a lump of ice”).

Other signs and customs on Elijah’s day and the life of the prophet Elijah

Elijah is one of the biblical prophets who predicted and prepared the coming to earth of Christ and a new creed. The image of the saint was captured in the Old Testament. According to legend, his father had a vision: some men “twined the baby Elijah with fire” and gave him a fiery flame instead of food.

Elijah's main feat was his fight against the apostate Ahab, who worshiped the pagan god Baal. In order to convert the king to the Jewish faith, the prophet predicted: there would be neither dew nor rain until he said otherwise. The prediction came true - drought and famine began, lasting three and a half years. Ilya at this time was in voluntary exile, and, if you believe the story about him, he lived in solitude, and the crows brought him food.

Three years later, Elijah challenged Ahab to see which of them was able to stop the famine. Ahab gathered 850 priests of Baal, but Elijah acted alone - and won, causing torrents of rain. When the king tried to seize the prophet, heavenly fire scorched the soldiers, and the last detachment sent by the king went over to the side of Elijah. According to legend, at the end of his earthly journey the prophet was transported to heaven on a fiery chariot without experiencing death.

Most of the signs and customs associated with the day of Elijah the Prophet relate to the onset of autumn, weather forecasting and harvesting. On Elijah’s Day, it was strictly forbidden to work in the field: the cut hay or the collected bread would not be used for future use; they would be burned by the holy Thunderer, angry for disrespect. It was believed that bad weather began with this holiday, all evil spirits returned to the water, so it was forbidden to swim. If you believe the signs, rain on Elijah’s Day foretells a good harvest for the next year.

Also for this holiday, it was customary to bake the first loaves of the new harvest, which the whole village enjoyed, to organize religious processions and to pray to the prophet for rain or, conversely, for clear weather - depending on what was more needed.

Why do paratroopers walk in religious procession along Ilyinka, why was Ilya the Prophet chosen as the heavenly patron of the Airborne Forces, why are priests needed in the army and why do they bless weapons? The rector of the main church of the Airborne Forces (Prophet Elijah in Kitai-Gorod), Archpriest Andrei Rechitsky, answers.

— Why do the Airborne Forces need their own heavenly patron?

— Airborne troops regularly carry out complex combat missions. At the same time, paratroopers inevitably face serious challenges when it is a matter of life and death. In such circumstances, they inevitably understand that even if you have done everything humanly possible, much still depends on God. And there is no doubt that God’s blessing is very important.

On August 2, 1930, on the day of remembrance of the Prophet Elijah, the first landing took place near Voronezh, and at the same time a decree on the creation of the Airborne Forces was signed. So, from the very beginning, Elijah the Prophet took the paratroopers under his protection and was invisibly present in the troops all these years. And now his presence has taken on a clear form in the holiday “Ilyin’s Day”.

— For many, the image of a paratrooper is more likely associated with a fountain than with a temple...

“We are used to the fact that Airborne Forces Day is a special day when nothing terrible happens, but most people still try to stay away from places of mass celebrations. The media creates the image of a paratrooper-hooligan who can swim in a fountain, break a watermelon over his head and otherwise disrupt public order. But from our own experience we know that, at their core, paratroopers are very worthy people. These are people who, without sparing their lives, are ready to fulfill their duty and defend their Motherland. Many of them really gave their lives, remaining faithful to the oath. Many became heroes. And what kind of relationships are built between military officers and soldiers - for this alone they can be respected. After all, paratroopers are always at the forefront of combat missions, and the life of each of them depends on the relationships within the group. Of course, these relationships continue after transfer to the reserve.

When such people come to a holiday, you understand that the picture in the media does not correspond to reality, and the paratroopers are worthy of respect and all respect. That is why it is very important for us that our holiday has become a new form for Airborne Forces Day and has begun to change existing stereotypes. We understand that we all stand before God together, and there is a feeling of special unity between the army, the Church and those who work at Ilyinka.

Over the years, more than three thousand airborne cadets and soldiers have passed through our celebrations. Now for them this day means not only swimming in the fountain, but the memory of their heavenly patron. They went through a procession of the cross, together with the commander they prayed at the Place of Execution, and solemnly walked along Red Square in front of the icon of their heavenly patron. For any officer and soldier, this is a sign of special trust and a great honor; the memory of such an event remains for life.

As for hooliganism, both the commander of the Airborne Forces, Colonel General Vladimir Anatolyevich Shamanov, and the chairman of the Union of Russian Paratroopers, Colonel General Valery Aleksandrovich Vostrotin, have repeatedly said that along with the paratroopers on August 2, “mummers” also go out for walks. There are only a few of them, but they add unnecessary color to the holiday.

— I read in the comments to the photographs from the procession that the Church should not be in the army, it is minding its own business. What can you answer to this?

— Does such a commentator have the internal right to make such statements on the Internet, are these not empty words? I would be interested to see how he himself would behave on the battlefield or in other circumstances requiring self-sacrifice from a person. Veterans of Afghanistan are present at our celebration. There is an icon of Elijah the Prophet, which traveled all over Afghanistan; the icon contains parts of the Afghan soil, where bloody battles took place. The veterans nicknamed her “Elijah the Prophet of Afghanistan.” These veterans know that it is impossible to fight in war without faith, and they confirm this with their lives. Will such a critic of the Church be able to approach these veterans and, without inner guile, tell them that what they are doing is wrong?

Most often, people who make such arguments either do not know their history, or suffer from a very characteristic ailment of our time - frivolity. The modern world welcomes frivolity in people; Internet discussions imply frivolity and irresponsibility of judgment. People think that there are no problems talking and speaking out about everything in the world, even about things that may be several orders of magnitude higher than their level of personal development. Sometimes “the abilities of the mind do not correspond to the strength of life.” The life and actions of a modern person very often do not correspond to what he talks about. Explaining to him that he doesn’t have the right to judge everything on the Internet is like explaining the difference between colors to a colorblind person. How do you explain? He must first be cured and the integrity of the individual restored. Therefore, before you object, find out whether this is serious damage? If yes, then the questions cannot be taken seriously.

- There is also another claim - how can you bless soldiers and weapons if there is a commandment “thou shalt not kill”?

— Yes, the Church blesses weapons. But the Church does not bless murder. Weapons are not just meant to take lives in war. It, among other things, keeps people from evil. Why does a military man need a gun? Why does a policeman need a gun? Let's take everything from them. And then other people will come, with weapons, who have no internal restrictions. And they will command, and we will walk in formation. The commandment “thou shalt not kill” concerns you personally. And if in front of your eyes they mock another, a child, then another commandment applies: “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). You will use effort or even force to save the child from danger. And in what form it will be possible to do this - as God wills. The Church does not bless weapons for killing; it blesses weapons for defending the Fatherland, for keeping other people from evil. And perhaps this blessing somehow prevents the owners of weapons themselves from using them incorrectly.

— Parishes are always different, some are considered intellectual, others love missionary work. What is your parish?

“Our temple is small and it is located in an area where there are no local residents, only employees of nearby organizations. In this regard, our parish, by Moscow standards, is very small and looks like a penitential family, everyone knows each other. During confession, priests have the opportunity to spend time with all parishioners. The structure and order of the service make it possible to talk with everyone and, if possible, provide support in spiritual life, to understand some spiritual, and sometimes everyday issues.

Another feature of the parish is a large family Sunday school. The school is an extension of our parish life outside of worship. Children study here from two years old to a very advanced age. This is not a school where you can graduate and get a certificate. This is a common family parish affair, where after the service there is an opportunity to gather according to interests, listen to a lecture, go on a hike, go on a pilgrimage, and share joy and sorrow with each other.

Interviewed by Kirill Milovidov

Temple of Elijah the Prophet in China Town

The Temple of Elijah the Prophet was built in Moscow in 1519 on the territory of the Elias Monastery. In its rebuilt form, the temple has survived to this day and gave its name to Ilyinka Street. In 1606, a popular uprising against False Dmitry I began with the ringing of the bell of the Elias Church. During Soviet times, the temple was closed, the bell tower was demolished, and the interior was divided into floors and rooms, which housed communal apartments and various organizations.

Services in the temple were resumed in 1995. After the prophet Elijah was chosen as the patron of the paratroopers, the top leadership of the Airborne Forces began to look for a suitable temple. With the blessing of Patriarch Alexy II, the churches of Elijah the Prophet in Moscow were inspected, and the choice was made on the temple in Kitai-Gorod, although it was in disrepair. Colonel General Georgy Shpak, commander of the Airborne Forces, turned to Patriarch Alexy II with a request to designate the Church of Elijah the Prophet as a military temple of the Airborne Forces, and the Patriarch gave his blessing.

The first joint celebrations with the Airborne Forces took place in Moscow on the square in front of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 2003. In 2005, the first religious procession took place along Ilyinka, and the pre-revolutionary tradition of prayer singing on Red Square was restored.

Moscow City Diocese

According to Church tradition (as the Apocalypse narrates), it is Elijah, the most strict and just of the prophets, who will become the forerunner of the Second Coming of Christ, and will suffer bodily death during the sermon. And it is to Saint Elijah that the relatives of those who serve in the Airborne Forces, as well as aviators and paratroopers, often offer prayers.

It is gratifying to note that every year on August 2, morning services in Orthodox churches are attended by more and more paratroopers, which in their souls remain those who have been in reserve for a long time. In 22 churches of the Moscow diocese, patronal feasts will be celebrated on this day.

“Today is a double holiday,” notes Bishop Kirill. – Prophet Elijah is the patron saint of the Russian Airborne Forces, and this is no coincidence, because he is a special, very zealous prophet. On some icons he is depicted with a sword in his hands, because he once had such boldness: after the expected miracle did not happen through the prayer of a false prophet who worshiped pagan idols, Elijah offered holy prayers, and fire came down from heaven and burned the sacrifice that lay without fire on wood; then, inflamed with anger, he slaughtered the false prophets of Baal. And indeed, Elijah is a great prophet; we always need to pray to him, especially at a time when a terrible disaster has befallen our Central Russia - His Holiness the Patriarch speaks about this in his message, addressing us all and calling on us to pray today. And we inserted special petitions into the special litany and will continue to ask for the intercession of the prophet of God Elijah, so that rain may fall on the land that so thirsts for it: many forests and populated areas are suffering from terrible fires...

One of the most notable events of the day was the brotherhood, or “prayer” - a collective meal that united residents of neighboring villages and was associated with the sacrificial slaughter of the animal “Ilya”. The main organizers and participants of the fraternity were men. Such fraternities ended with youth festivities: games, round dances, songs and dances.

Ilya’s day was considered the calendar boundary of summer (“Ilya’s summer ends”), when the first signs of autumn appeared in nature and changes in the behavior of animals and birds, the weather changed: “Before Ilya’s day, the sun dries under the bush, and after Ilya’s day, there is dew on the wasteland.” does not dry out."

In Russia it was believed that “on Ilya it is summer before lunch, and autumn after lunch.”

And the Orthodox people will pray to the Lord and Elijah the Prophet - both for themselves, and for their family, and for their fellow soldiers, with whom they had the opportunity to see a lot. And for our Motherland - Mother Russia. Happy holiday, Airborne Forces!

In our Moscow Church of Saints Peter, Alexy, Jonah, the Divine Liturgy and prayer service took place today in honor of the heavenly prophet of God Elijah. After the service, our father, Priest Nikolai Ovchinnikov, together with the sexton of our church, Alexander Kechin, went on a hike with schoolchildren led by M.S. Krechina. (deputy school director for educational work) and Denisov S.A. (Physical education teacher).

The hike began with a meal in our temple. The guys took part in the game "Zarnitsa" in honor of the holiday of the Airborne Forces, and swam. We refreshed ourselves with pilaf and tea, cooked over the fire.

First jumps, taking the oath, gatherings of clergy - this is not the entire list of events in which priests who care for airborne troops take part. Archpriest Mikhail Vasiliev, head of the Airborne Forces sector of the Synodal Department for interaction with the Armed Forces and law enforcement agencies, talks about current and future events with the participation of clergy.

Clergymen - employees of the Airborne Forces sector in the summer, as well as in the rest of the year, regularly carry out work in units and formations of the Airborne Forces. For example, the priest of the 45th Special Forces Regiment of the Airborne Forces, Sergiy Arkhipov, recently took part in the preparation and conduct of the first jumps of a company of young recruits near Vyazma, while he himself jumped with a parachute. Priest Alexander Shkurenko, who cares for the 38th Airborne Regiment, also recently made joint jumps with soldiers of the regiment and officers of the Airborne Forces command at the Zhitovo landing site in the Ryazan region. In many units and formations of the Airborne Forces, prayers are held before the first jumps and taking the military oath.

The same events are carried out in units and formations of the Strategic Missile Forces, as well as in the training centers of the Strategic Missile Forces. Thus, recently Archpriest Alexander Soldatenkov took part in taking the oath at the garrison of the Strategic Missile Forces headquarters in Vlasikha. As planned, classes are held with military personnel, conversations are held, and participation in worship services is held. Recently, on the day of remembrance of the Royal Martyrs, at the headquarters of the Strategic Missile Forces, Archpriest Alexander Soldatenkov performed a liturgy for the young replenishment of the garrison, at which 120 soldiers and sergeants received communion. The same services were held in the 45th Special Forces Airborne Regiment, where 89 people received Holy Communion over the past week.
The clergy caring for the servicemen of the 7th Airborne Assault Division, which took part in eliminating the consequences of the man-made disaster in Krymsk from the first hours, were also present at the scene.
On July 27, we held memorial events on the territory of the Smolensk diocese: the grand opening of the monument to Vasily Margelov and the consecration of the monument to the Airborne Forces soldier of the 4th Airborne Corps who died in 1942.

Traditionally, the celebration of the Day of the Airborne Forces took place on August 2, on the day of memory of Elijah the Prophet, the patron saint of the Airborne Forces, liturgies were served in the churches of the units and formations of the Airborne Forces. A religious procession took place on Red Square and a prayer service was held. On the same day, an exhibition was opened at the All-Russian Exhibition Center in Moscow, where our mobile church was also presented. Before the opening we also held a prayer service.
Year after year, ties between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Airborne Forces are becoming increasingly stronger. We constantly feel the support of the Airborne Forces Commander, Colonel General Vladimir Shamanov, and the commanders of units and formations. A similar situation is developing in the Strategic Missile Forces.
Cooperation with representatives of the clergy of other religious denominations is being strengthened. In particular, I would like to mention Mullah Ali Hazrat, who works in a unit in the Volga region. He, together with an Orthodox priest, cares for military personnel, teaching them kindness, love, harmony, and mutual understanding. This has a very positive impact on military personnel of the Muslim and Orthodox faith.

The Day of Elijah the Prophet, a saint who enjoyed special respect and veneration among the Russian people, is one of the holidays that our people have never forgotten.

This day for the villager was a turning point in economic affairs. It was believed that starting from Elijah’s day, the water in rivers and lakes becomes so cold that it is not worth swimming after it.

Thunderstorms on Ilya’s day were considered healing - “Ilya” rainwater was collected and washed with it. With her help they washed away the evil mark from the evil eye.

The image of the prophet Elijah is surrounded by an aura of greatness and power. For his holy life on earth - and he lived in Palestine, 900 years before Christ - Elijah was taken alive to heaven in a chariot of fire.

Saint Elijah the Prophet is the heavenly patron of the Russian Airborne Forces.

The Airborne Forces - “winged infantry”, “blue berets” at all times and under any circumstances invariably remained a stronghold of strength, courage and reliability of people living by the principle:

"NOBODY EXCEPT US!"

From the first day of its existence, from August 2, 1930, when an airborne unit was first dropped out by parachute during the exercises of the Moscow Military District, the Airborne Forces became the “front line” troops, capable of completing any task, no matter how impossible it was considered.

Combat airborne brotherhood is a sense of comradeship in the general formation, a readiness to always come to the rescue, to shield a comrade from a bullet, clinging to the lines, holding the extinguished canopy of a friend - a paratrooper.

Airborne brotherhood is an incomparable feeling of unity between paratroopers of all generations, from gray-haired front-line soldiers to mustacheless boys who have just made their first parachute jump.

According to its combat purpose, meaning and traditions, the Airborne Forces are always where it is difficult, almost impossible. It’s not for nothing that it is sung: “There are airborne troops, and there are no impossible tasks...”.

“Airborne Forces - Uncle Vasya's Troops,” - this is how the paratroopers themselves talk about themselves, and this phrase contains readiness to carry out orders at any time of the day or night, special pride in belonging to the airborne brotherhood and special love and respect for the person who gave the troops all of himself - to the Commander of the Airborne Forces, Army General Vasily Filippovich Margelov - a legendary man, paratrooper No. 1. It was his iron willpower, tenacity and perseverance in achieving his goal that made it possible to carry out large-scale rearmament of troops, introduce new methods and means of landing, and create potential solving problems almost anywhere in the world.

Over the entire history of its existence, the Airborne Forces have written many bright pages of courage, valor and honor in the book of military history of the army of the Fatherland. Millions and millions of citizens of the country went through the harsh school of airborne service, and it is not for nothing that August 2 has become a national holiday.

On this day I remember, I remember my father, Vitaly Petrovich, he served in the Airborne Forces for 5 years.