Gabriel's Message to Elijah: A Poem

"Come hastily Elijah to heaven ascend."

Sep 01, 2023

a book with a picture of people — Photo by Worshae on Unsplash

I am taking a break this week from the series of poems telling the story of St. George and the Dragon. Instead, I’ll be sharing a poetic interpretation of specific events spanning throughout the Holy Scriptures as an exploration of the interconnectedness of three different saints.

Today’s poem was in part inspired by a detail I noticed in the Orthodox icon of St. Elijah being taken into heaven upon a chariot of fire.1 I noticed the presence of the Archangel Gabriel within the icon and began to think about and research the connections between St. Elijah and the Archangel. Within the scriptures, the lives of St. Elijah and St. John the Forerunner and Baptist are also clearly intertwined and, in the beginning of the gospel, the Archangel Gabriel appears in the visitation to the parents of St. John.

Written from the perspective of the Archangel Gabriel, today’s poem threads elements and events from the lives of these saints together.

Are there other connections I missed? Please let me know in the comments. I would love to learn more about these saints.

Gabriel’s Message to Elijah

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Come hastily Elijah to heaven ascend
Do not now tarry for your friends
Let your prophet's mantle fall below
For on another shall it be bestowed
To Zachariah the Priest I will appear
Heralding the birth of a son draws near 
Who with raiment of hair upon his chest
Prophesy with cries in the wilderness
Going before the Christ to Sheol's deep
To proclaim to the captives there asleep
The One transfigured on Tabor's heights
Comes to fill darkest death with glorious light
Then blasts from my trumpets shall resound
All shall stand arising up from the ground
Then cry Elijah "Prepare the way of the Lord"
Who comes upon clouds to reveal by His Word

Thank you for reading!

We’re getting closer to the release of Goodnight, Child of God! I am awaiting to hear the official release date but will share it as soon as I find out. I’ll be sending more frequent updates and news via this newsletter as we get closer to the launch.

Exciting things are ahead! Stay tuned.

With gratitude,

Drew Chancey