Litany of Saint Elijah (Mar Elias)
(A translation of the meaning of this hymn written in Arabic verse.)
Be for us, O Elijah, the banner of truth and the beacon.
You are fire, and in fire you journeyed to God.
When the rain was withheld, the land became a wasteland;
your Jordan ran dry, leaving not a drop for the thirsty.
The Spirit led you to a widow in her need;
her jar rejoiced at your coming: death by hunger died,
and blessings overflowed upon the flask of oil.
You lifted her grief; you gave life back to the child.
Jezebel destroyed the prophets of truth, the guides;
she cast down their Creator and raised up Baal.
Elijah’s hand was lifted and tore down the tower of error;
the bounty of the Lord poured down and flowed upon Carmel.
Jezebel plotted an evil death for Elijah;
fleeing Jezebel’s fury, he wandered to Horeb.
In the blast of the storm the Lord God was not;
in the rage of the earthquake the Lord God was not;
in the roar of the fire the Lord God was not;
then a breeze, like dew, in which God’s gentleness melted.
A voice of truth made Ahab, usurper of right, tremble;
the pillar of injustice fell between the fangs of the dogs.
On the wings of the Spirit, upon fire, heaven came to meet you;
Elisha willed it, and with your “mantle” put on the spirit of the unseen.
Ask the Lord for us a spirit of love and of giving.
