June 14
Reading:
The Prophet Elisseus, the son of Saphat, was from the town
of Abel-me-oul and had been a husbandman. In the year 908 B.C., at
God's command, the Prophet Elias anointed him to be Prophet in his
stead. This happened while Elisseus was plowing his land, having twelve
oxen under yoke. Straightway, Elisseus slew the oxen and cooked them,
using the wooden plough and the other instruments of husbandry as
firewood; then he gave the oxen as food to the people. Bidding farewell
to his parents, he followed Elias and served him until the latter was
taken up as it were into Heaven (see July 20). When Elisseus received
his teacher's mantle and the grace of his prophetic spirit twofold, he
demonstrated whose disciple he was through the miracles he wrought and
through all that is related of him in the Fourth Book of Kings. He
departed full of days and was buried in Samaria, about the year 839 B.C.
But even after his death God glorified him; for after the passage of a
year, when some Israelites were carrying a dead man for burial and
suddenly saw a band of Moabites, they cast the dead man on the grave of
the Prophet. No sooner had the dead man touched the Prophet's bones,
than he came to life and stood on his feet (IV Kings 13:20-21).
Mentioning this, Jesus the Son of Sirach says, "He did wonders in his
life, and at his death his works were marvelous" (Ecclus. 48:14). It is
because of such marvels that the faithful have reverence for the relics
of the Saints (see also Jan. 16). His name means "God is savior."
Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
The incarnate Angel, the Cornerstone of the Prophets, the second
Forerunner of the Coming of Christ, the glorious Elias (Elijah), who
from above, sent down to Elisha the grace to dispel sickness and cleanse
lepers, abounds therefore in healing for those who honor him.
Kontakion in the Second Tone
A prophet of God didst thou become when worthily thou hadst been
vouchsafed a double portion of God's grace as Elias' true companion, O
Elisseus, divinely-blest; and with him, thou unceasingly entreatest
Christ God in behalf of us all.
SOURCE:
SAINT OR FEAST POSTED THIS DATE 2012(with 2011's link here also and further, 2010, 2009 and even 2008!)
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