COMMISSIONED WORK Oil On Canvas, 24 x 30in (2020) St. Elijah is an Old Testament prophet and miracle worker. He is described as wild, manly, hairy and bold! He is considered the father of the Carmelite order. It was atop Mt. Carmel that St. Elijah set up an altar of sacrifice to God, in order to show who the true God was, and caused people to repent of their worship of the pagan god Baal. He holds a fiery sword in his right hand, which represents his action of calling down fire from Heaven on Mt. Carmel. He lived and prayed on Mt. Carmel, and trained followers who were the first monks. He lived a zealous life of prayer, penance, contemplation, and bold action for God. When Elijah was brought into Heaven, he passed on his mantle to Elisha. Here we see him holding a stole of the same material as his mantle as a symbol of him conferring his priestly authority on.