Orthodox Christians celebrate Saint Elijah

Old-style Orthodox Christians celebrate today, August 2, Saint Elijah. Protopope Nicolae Ciobanu told Info-Prim Neo that today, people go to church and afterwards some continue the feast alongside those who celebrate their name day, the patron saint day of their house or settlement. Saint Elijah is considered a miracle-worker and bringer of rain in times of drought. It is said that at his birth, his father saw three men in white dressing the child in fire and when hey named him, they feed him with a flame a symbols of his zeal for God, which burned within him all his life. In folklore, Great Saint Prophet Elijah is considered the protector of harvests and remained in the history of the Orthodox Church as an example of faith and courage. A specific of the holiday is that fruit and vegetables are blessed. On this day, bee honey is blessed and then served with cucumbers.