It is on July 20th, that Elijah, one of the most important of the Old Testament prophets, is commemorated. In Haifa, precisely in a church which houses a cave in which, according to tradition, Elijah lived, alternating Masses, in differing Catholic rites, were celebrated in the morning. At ten the Melkites officiated, presided over by Archbishop Elias Chacour. Outside the Carmelite Church of Stella Maris, this feast of Elijah was also honoured by adherents of other religions.
"In Ramallah we represent the charity Caritas, which is based in Jerusalem, and we always come to pray here at this time. This is good because each year we are accompanied by members of other monotheistic faiths."
Assembled before a likeness of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, above the cave of the Prophet, the faithful listened attentively to the words of the Patriarch at Mass. "The word Elijah means 'My God is the Lord,'" he said, "and this still speaks to us today, as it always will." And so the alternating rites continued, characterized by hymns and melodious chants, as well as the distribution of blessed bread. Finally, the faithful assembled in front of the cave to render homage to the Saint, the festive character of the Masses remaining, and the celebrations continuing outside the Church, even if the nature of such festivities has apparently changed over time.
"People have come from all over Israel for the Feast, staying for a week, and putting up tents. But now the property where we held these festivities has been sold. In the past we used to have so many festivities after Mass, and there were baptisms. Some young people danced, and drank arak. But alas, no more."
In spite of everything, there is still great devotion among the Christians of the Holy Land to this great figure of the Old Testament, who was victorious over the prophets of Baal, precisely here on Mount Carmel.
"I have come here to celebrate the feast. My son is called Elijah, and since his birth we have come here every year to receive the Saint's blessing."
"In Ramallah we represent the charity Caritas, which is based in Jerusalem, and we always come to pray here at this time. This is good because each year we are accompanied by members of other monotheistic faiths."
Assembled before a likeness of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, above the cave of the Prophet, the faithful listened attentively to the words of the Patriarch at Mass. "The word Elijah means 'My God is the Lord,'" he said, "and this still speaks to us today, as it always will." And so the alternating rites continued, characterized by hymns and melodious chants, as well as the distribution of blessed bread. Finally, the faithful assembled in front of the cave to render homage to the Saint, the festive character of the Masses remaining, and the celebrations continuing outside the Church, even if the nature of such festivities has apparently changed over time.
"People have come from all over Israel for the Feast, staying for a week, and putting up tents. But now the property where we held these festivities has been sold. In the past we used to have so many festivities after Mass, and there were baptisms. Some young people danced, and drank arak. But alas, no more."
In spite of everything, there is still great devotion among the Christians of the Holy Land to this great figure of the Old Testament, who was victorious over the prophets of Baal, precisely here on Mount Carmel.
"I have come here to celebrate the feast. My son is called Elijah, and since his birth we have come here every year to receive the Saint's blessing."