Sunday, June 14

Apostolic · 9th century BC

Prophet Elisha

Wonderworking prophet, successor of Elijah

Elisha, son of Shaphat, was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen when the prophet Elijah cast his mantle upon him; he slaughtered his oxen, feasted his people, and followed his master without turning back. When Elijah was taken up in the fiery chariot, Elisha received his mantle and, as he had asked, a double portion of his spirit. For more than fifty years he prophesied in the northern kingdom of Israel, and the books of Kings record his abundant miracles: parting the Jordan, healing the waters of Jericho, multiplying the widow's oil, raising the Shunammite woman's son, feeding a hundred men with twenty loaves, cleansing Naaman the Syrian of leprosy, and guiding kings in war and famine. Even his bones gave life, for a dead man revived upon touching them. The Church honors him as a wonderworker and forerunner of the prophets of Christ.

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