Venerable Elias of Murom, Wonderworker of the Kiev Near Caves
Commemorated on December 19.
Saint Elias was a monk in the Near Caves Monastery in Kiev. He was from the city of Murom, and was called “Shoemaker” or “Cobbler." Popular legend identifies him with the famous warrior Elias of Murom, who was the subject of Russian ballads, and of Gliere’s Symphony No. 3. However, there is no strong basis for the validity of such an assumption.
Saint Elias reposed with the fingers of his right hand formed to make the Sign of the Cross in the position used even today in the Orthodox Church: the first three fingers together, and the two outermost fingers folded onto the palm [in contrast to the Sign of the Cross used by the “Old Ritualists”]. During the struggle with the Old Ritualist Schism (XVII - XIX centuries), this information about the Saint served as a powerful proof in favor of the present positioning of the fingers.
Saint Elias is also commemorated on the Second Sunday of Great Lent (Synaxis of all the Venerable Fathers of the Kiev Caves); June 10 (Synaxis of All Saints of Ryazan and Siberia ); June 23 ( Synaxis of the Saints of Vladimir ); and September 28 ( Synaxis of the Holy Fathers of Kiev , whose relics lie in the Near Caves of Saint Anthony).
Troparion
Come, all ye faithful, let us honor our Venerable Father Elias of Murom with spiritual songs,
the lamp of the Monastery of the Caves, and great intercessor for all Russia,
who has shown us the image of military and spiritual feats,
and who now shines with miracles of grace.
In the same way, flocking to the shrine of his relics,
we kiss them and cry out with love:
“Entreat Christ God to preserve our land
and to grant us great mercy.”
Kontakion
As a great luminary of the Russian land,
you appeared as an invincible commander of the Heavenly King,
and divinely inspired adornment of monastics.
And now, standing with the Angels before the Throne of God,
entreat the Master Christ, the Creator of all,
that we may be delivered from all troubles and sorrows,
that those who honor your holy memory may cry to you: “Rejoice, Venerable Elias, our Father.”