Elijah the Essene

An Essene in the time of Jesus.

The second of the hermits for Christ. The first is Aglae. He meets Jesus in the valley of Mount Cherith near Jericho. He then radically converts:

"«Master! A madman! The one who was speaking to You, the Essene. He is undressed and is weeping and sighing. We cannot go there.» [...] «I am the one whose heart has been miraculously cured. You have cured my soul. I will obey Your word. I want to clothe myself with light, leaving every other thought, which might clothe me with errors. I will live apart to meditate on the true God, to obtain life and resurrection. Is that enough? Give me a new name and tell me a place where I can live of You and of Your words.»"

Jesus gives him the name Elijah and invites him to live as a hermit in the caves of the valley. Jesus asks Nike to help him each month by bringing meager food and clothes:

"I now ask a service of you, for the sake of that soul, who is reviving and is full of goodwill, but is very weak. Excessive penance might distress him, and Satan might take advantage of such distress."

Which she will do punctually.

Apostolic Journey

Witness of the Resurrection. He is sent to Tabor for the great meeting of the disciples:

"Elias. Come to Me. Do not be shy like one who is a stranger among brothers. All the past is destroyed."

His name

Elijah (Èlyahou) means "my God is eternal". Historical reference: the very great prophet who was taken up on a chariot of fire.

Where is he mentioned in the work?

GRM 381 GRM 382

GRM 404

GRM 559

GRM 632 GRM 634