Heavenly patron of the Airborne Forces. How did Elijah the Prophet become the patron of the Airborne Forces and receive recognition from all religions? Other signs and customs on Ilyin's day and the life of the prophet Elijah

The Phanar-Poroshenko blitzkrieg to destroy the UOC failed. But would each of us pass the test of Tomos if Poroshenko had more opportunities to put pressure on believers? In July 2019, the process of change of power was completed in Ukraine. We have yet to feel its results, but one thing can be said already now: with the departure of the old government, the active phase of planting Tomos and persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is coming to an end. Blitzkrieg Phanar-Poroshenko to destroy the UOC failed, the Church survived. Now, recalling the actions of Poroshenko and Co. on the eve and after the presentation of Tomos, it seems to us that pressure on bishops, priests and believers canonical Church was exceptional and unprecedented. But was it really so?

The Orthodox brotherhoods of Ukraine appealed to the hierarchy of the UOC (MP) with a request to initiate before the Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church anathema to the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Among other Phanar heresies, the brothers point to “the false teaching about the right of the Patriarch of Constantinople to abolish the bans and anathemas imposed by others local churches". Istanbul granted itself this “right” at the synaxis in early September 2018, before the invasion of the canonical territory of the Russian Orthodox Church – Ukraine. And on October 11, 2018, so that it would be possible for someone “canonical” to grant “autocephaly” in Ukraine, “restored in canonical rights” ...

The Moscow Patriarchate called the words of Pope Francis that he would gladly come to Russia, exclusively “words of courtesy” in response to an invitation he received from a private person, which does not oblige him to anything. Earlier, the Catholic website Asianews reported that Russian opera singer Svetlana Kasyan, who is on tour in Italy, met with the Pope, who wished her a happy birthday, together with her family. In response, Kasyan invited him to visit Russia and visit her on Taganskaya Square, where the church of St. Martin the Confessor, the former Pope, stands.

The revival of the tradition, according to the definition of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, of the "church and public celebration" of Ilyin's Day took place this year under the sign of the 80th anniversary of the Airborne Troops of the Russian Federation, under the heavenly protection of the Prophet Elijah.

“This is a special, very zealous prophet…”

Already from early morning, Ilyinka Street was filled with people: a prayer service was being served in front of the ancient temple of the Prophet Elijah in Kitai-Gorod. And around the choir singing “Prophet of God Elijah, pray to God for us!”, paratroopers gather - young and veterans, parishioners of the temple, people working on Ilyinka, guests of the holiday from all over Moscow, from different Russian cities, as well as from the countries of the Middle and Far Abroad.

Big temple icon of the prophet Elijah is already installed on a wooden stretcher with "hoops" of flowers, which symbolizes the fiery chariot of the prophet. The image will be carried at the head of the procession. Girls with huge boxes, in which flower petals, cover his future path with them. Meanwhile, a festive liturgy begins in the church, led by Bishop Kirill of Pavlovsky Posad. The liturgy is broadcast on the street, so that all those who have gathered and did not get into the church have the opportunity to pray, as well as listen to the bishop's sermon.

“Today is a double holiday,” Bishop Kirill notes. – The Prophet Elijah is the patron saint of the Russian Airborne Forces, and this is not accidental, because he is a special, very zealous prophet. On some icons, he is depicted with a sword in his hands, because once he had such boldness: after the expected miracle did not happen through the prayer of a false prophet who worshiped pagan idols, Elijah offered up holy prayers, and fire descended from heaven and burned the sacrifice that lay without fire on wood; then, inflamed with anger, he slew the false prophets of Baal. And indeed, Elijah is a great prophet, he must always pray, especially at a time when a terrible disaster befell our Central Russia - His Holiness the Patriarch speaks about this in his message, addressing all of us and calling us to pray today. And we inserted special petitions into the special litany and we will continue to ask for the intercession of the prophet of God Elijah, so that rain would fall on the land that so thirsts for it: many forests suffer from terrible fires, and settlements…

Let us pray to the prophet Elijah to ask the All-Merciful Lord to have mercy and send rains, and the necessary high water, and silence, and tranquility to our land.”

The festive service was also attended by those priests who today spiritually support the paratroopers in their hard military work and even make jumps themselves. One of them is Archpriest Georgy Khanov, rector of the Holy Spirit Church of the Dnepropetrovsk diocese.

“I happened to serve in the Airborne Troops, in the Airborne Assault Brigade,” Father George said. - And now I am taking care of the paratrooper brigade of Dnepropetrovsk, participating in the preparation for the jumps of soldiers and officers, as well as pre-conscripts: we have a paratrooper club where children aged 14-15 study. And among the young participants in today's military parade on Red Square there will be one of our teenagers, who has just turned 15 years old, but he fulfills the annual jump standard for an adult paratrooper. I myself also regularly make jumps with the brigade. I think that this holiday - Ilyin's Day - inspires, mobilizes the will, tempers the character of the people participating in it. And even if they do not serve in the landing force, then, in contact with the courage of our army, they themselves are imbued with a desire to zealously serve our Orthodox Fatherland.

The procession, continuing the old tradition adopted in Russia on Ilyin's Day, goes to the Execution Ground on Red Square. Paratroopers carry icons, banners, a cross; in the hands of many participants who came with their children are icons of the prophet Elijah. A large delegation of the Greek Orthodox Church, headed by Metropolitan Nicholas of Mesogeia and Lavreotiki, attracts attention.

Next to a group of our priests in festive vestments is the Commander of the Airborne Forces of the Russian Federation, Lieutenant General V.A. Shamanov.

“The helicopter kept falling, and I prayed…”

Early in the morning, even before participating in the celebrations of Ilyin's Day, Vladimir Anatolyevich Shamanov and other military leaders visited the cemeteries of the capital, where they laid wreaths on the graves of soldiers who made a significant contribution to the defense of our Fatherland.

Despite the tight schedule, the commander of the Airborne Forces was able to find time for an interview with the Pravoslavie.ru website. RU".

- I am glad that every year the celebration of Ilyin's Day develops into a national event, the unity of all social strata of the population, - said Vladimir Anatolyevich. – We see with our own eyes how the ties between the army, the clergy, economic structures, public and youth associations are actually being strengthened. Only in such unity can we both preserve and increase the power of Russia.

This time here, in the heart of Moscow - on Red Square, delegations of paratroopers and veterans from many regions of the country gathered. I can say that in almost all territories of Russia, even where there is no airborne troops due to the fact of deployment, regional and municipal authorities take an active part in the holiday. And, I must say, the paratroopers, with their military labor and exploits, deserved the attention of authorities at all levels. So, at present they are performing special tasks in the Republic of Kyrgyzstan, actively participating in combat training activities, preparing for the upcoming command and staff exercises in August.

When asked how the commander assesses the significance of the work of priests in military units, he answered enthusiastically:

– I believe that interaction with the Church, carried out under the personal leadership of the Minister of Defense, is of great importance for the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Regular regimental priests are already actively operating at our military bases outside Russia. Spiritual guidance is especially important there: after all, in addition to the difficulties of military service, people are separated from their native country. Over the past decade, we have traditionally had non-staff clergy in the Airborne Forces units, who not only conduct church services but also make jumps. For example, Father Mikhail Vasiliev was awarded the Order of Courage. Recently, a priest was taking a young fighter course, including airborne training, to better "feel" his flock. Temples equipped in military units operate in various regions of Russia: in Pskov, Ryazan, Ivanovo, Tula, Ulyanovsk, Novorossiysk ...

The Airborne Forces also have a landing field temple, which can be dropped by parachute and deployed on a platform anywhere. By the way, clergy participate in all major teachings, including those held abroad. When, for example, the priest set up a field church on the territory of our camp in Kazakhstan, not only Russian, but also Kazakh military personnel came there. As the commander of the Airborne Forces, I will in every possible way welcome and encourage clergy of traditional confessions to appear in our units.

The last question asked to the commander was of a personal nature: did Vladimir Anatolyevich himself feel during the difficult military service heavenly patronage God's prophet Elijah?

“The intercession of the prophet Elijah for the entire landing army is a great blessing,” he said. - And I have repeatedly had to be in such alterations, when, it would seem, you will no longer get out alive, even a cripple. Imagine: a helicopter fell from a height of 800 meters and I was in it with a group of fighters; some soldiers started to panic, so I had to calm them down. And then I began to pray to myself ... And at the last moment, in the autorotation mode, the helicopter pilot saved the crew.

I had several wounds, including those adjacent to life, and now I stand alive here in front of you. And once in the Caucasus, a fragment that went straight to my heart broke the handle of a pistol, and only this handle, located at the heart, saved my life. I think it was God's providence.

Of course, churching, including our army, which is actively going on in Russia today, cannot but rejoice. Yes, we, the older generation, were born in another country, lived in a different time, but we also celebrated Holy Pascha and other holidays. I am baptized almost from birth (my grandmother did not let me, a newborn, be brought into the house until I was baptized), and the Orthodox faith for me is not an empty phrase, but my inner essence. I am convinced that without faith there is no warrior!

On the Red Square

The chime of the Kremlin chimes sounds on the Spasskaya Tower (where, by the way, the icon of St. Nicholas, immured in the old days, has already been opened and is being restored by restorers). And at Lobnoye Mesto on Red Square, where he arrives procession- and here the landing units have already settled down for the parade, - the festive prayer service begins.

A prayer petition is proclaimed for the President of the Russian Federation, the commander of the Airborne Forces and all paratroopers. Vladyka Kirill reads a prayer to the Prophet of God Elijah, and then reads the greetings of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill to the participants of the holiday, so that although His Holiness spends this day in the Nizhny Novgorod diocese, he is with us.

Speeches by officials are accompanied by a powerful cry: "Glory to the Airborne Forces!" The commander of the Airborne Forces, Lieutenant General Vladimir Shamanov, is the first to speak. He recalls that the prophet Elijah, sparing no effort, denounced lies, fanaticism, everything that distorts the essence human life; so the paratroopers from the moment the troops were formed fought and are fighting evil - furiously, often losing combat friends. "I'm glad His Holiness Patriarch- concluded the commander, - for his constant attention to us. Quite recently, the Patriarch consecrated the banner of the legendary 51st Tula Regiment on Kulikovo Field, and this once again indicates that the Patriarch keeps an eye on the activities of today's paratroopers.

Chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Sergei Mironov himself is a former paratrooper, now heads the Board of Trustees of the Union of Russian Paratroopers. He congratulated those gathered on the anniversary of the Airborne Forces, noting that "80 years is, of course, an age, but not for an airborne assault force - our most glorious troops, because a paratrooper is always young at heart and always ready to fight for the sake of our Motherland."

Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov also congratulated the "Legendary Winged Guard" in a greeting read out on his behalf.

And now the hour has come for the solemn passage of landing troops across Red Square. The parade was opened by the 2nd battalion of cadets of the famous Ryazan Higher Airborne Command School - the only one in the world educational institution of such kind. And then young members of military-patriotic clubs and associations from different regions of the country mint a step across Red Square, among them there are even six-year-old boys.

From children to veterans

The Union of Russian Paratroopers already includes over 120 military-patriotic clubs, where young people are preparing for service in the Airborne Forces. One of them is the Ratnik defense and sports club operating in the Moscow Region, which takes part in the current celebrations on Red Square. 14-year-old senior cadet Viktor Kononenko from the city of Vidnoe says:

- Together with my comrades, this is the second time I participate in the parade on Red Square. This is a huge honor for us! In total, our club unites about 300 members, there are branches almost throughout the Moscow region. A variety of ages are represented - from preschoolers to people with experience who have already served in the army and are now helping to educate the youth team. The club organizes shooting and parachute training, we also study history Russian state; in addition, we are conducting search work: we raise the remains of soldiers who died during the Great Patriotic War, rebury them, look for their names in the archives, and do museum work. The sports direction is also developing: we study martial arts with an experienced mentor.

As part of patronage work, members of our club visited the Northern Fleet; Now from September 1 we will open a naval branch. Since I took the guards oath on the destroyer Thundering, I would like to connect my life with the fleet. In general, we are for the unity of all branches of the armed forces: only together we are strong!

And one more thing: we are happy to cooperate with the Sunday school of the Church of the Great Martyr George the Victorious in the city of Vidnoe. Recently returned from Orthodox camp, where they helped in the restoration of the Nikolo-Radovitsky Monastery. Thus, the guys comprehend with us both military affairs and the basics of Orthodoxy. On today's feast, the patronage of the holy prophet Elijah is especially felt, even in details: in the morning, for example, the air was heavy due to the smoke of forest fires, and by the end of the liturgy it became easier to breathe.

On Ilyin's Day, future soldiers, soldiers of the Great Patriotic War, and soldiers who fought in Afghanistan and the Caucasus met in a single formation. Vladimir Kulakov, who served in the early 1970s in the 103rd Guards Airborne Division, stands with the flag of his division near Ilyinsky temple since the morning: waiting for a meeting with fellow soldiers.

“I don’t feel like a veteran paratrooper, but just a paratrooper,” he smiles. - Here, my son wants to follow in my footsteps, but so far it has not worked out ... I think that the coincidence of the day of the Airborne Forces and the day of memory of the prophet Elijah is not at all accidental! After all, the first landing 80 years ago was on Ilyin's day! Even the Ryazan landing school itself is located on the former territory of the monastery (which has now been assigned a new place), which is also deeply symbolic! I think it largely depends on us whether there is a holiday in the soul or not. Each of us needs to work for the glory of God, and then everything will be fine!

Veteran of the Great Patriotic War, former paratrooper Leonid Vasilyevich Roganov every year comes to Ilyinka on this day. “Come, father, let’s take a picture together!” - Ryazanov cadets offer him.

Perhaps his story is worthy of a separate book. In 1943 he was drafted into the army, in a separate training rifle regiment. After being awarded the rank of junior commander, he was sent to the 22nd airborne brigade in the Ivanovo region, where they began to intensively prepare for being thrown behind enemy lines.

“But then we were reorganized and sent to the front by land,” the veteran recalls. - We ended up in Hungary, took the city of Szekesfehervar, which changed hands twice. Having liberated Hungary from the Nazis, we entered the territory of Austria, where they crossed the Danube and connected with the 2nd Ukrainian Front, took Vienna ... Then we were transferred to Czechoslovakia - to liberate Prague. Then a new order: to occupy as much territory as possible in the direction of Prague to meet with the allies. And by the end of the war, I was not yet 19 years old ... In total, I served in the army, along with the war, for seven years - I was demobilized at the end of 1950, then worked at one of the Moscow factories, and retired in 1994.

I am a parishioner of Elijah's Church. This is the central temple of the Airborne Forces. This is where I celebrate the holidays. It is very important that both the Airborne Forces Day and the memory of the Prophet Elijah, the patron saint of paratroopers, are now celebrated together. I can say that always in the most difficult situations we felt his intercession. As for the current young paratroopers, they are excellent fighting brave guys. Our business is in safe hands!

After the completion of the official celebrations, the holiday moved to Vasilyevsky Spusk, where a grand concert, a charity meal from the field kitchens of the Airborne Forces, and folk festivals awaited all its participants.

Why do paratroopers walk in procession along Ilyinka, why is Elijah the Prophet chosen by heaven patron of the Airborne Forces, why are priests needed in the army and why do they bless weapons? The rector of the main temple of the Airborne Forces (Prophet Elijah in Kitay-Gorod), Archpriest Andrei Rechitsky, answers.

— Why do the Airborne Troops need their heavenly patron?

- Airborne troops regularly perform complex combat missions. At the same time, paratroopers inevitably face serious trials when it is a matter of life and death. In such conditions, they inevitably understand that even if you have done everything in human power, much still depends on God. And there is no doubt that the blessing of God is very important.

On August 2, 1930, on the day of the memory of the prophet Elijah, there was the first landing near Voronezh, at the same time a decree was signed on the creation of the Airborne Forces. So, from the very beginning, Elijah the Prophet took paratroopers under his protection and all these years was invisibly present in the troops. And now his presence has taken on a clear form in the holiday "Ilyin's Day".

- Many people associate the image of a paratrooper with a fountain rather than with a temple...

- We are used to the fact that the day of the Airborne Forces is a special day when nothing terrible happens, but most people, nevertheless, try to stay away from places of mass celebrations. The media creates the image of a hooligan paratrooper who can bathe in a fountain, break a watermelon on his head and somehow still violate public order. But from our own experience, we know that at their core, paratroopers are very worthy people. These are people who, not sparing their lives, are ready to fulfill their duty and defend their homeland. Very many of them really gave their lives, remaining true to the oath. Many have become heroes. And what kind of relations are built between military officers and soldiers - for this alone they can be respected. After all, paratroopers are always at the forefront of combat missions, and the life of each of them depends on the relationships within the group. Of course, these relations have their continuation after the transfer to the reserve.

When such people come to the holiday, you understand that the picture in the media does not correspond to reality a little, and the paratroopers deserve respect and all respect. That is why it is very important for us that our holiday has become a new form for the Airborne Forces Day and has begun to change the prevailing stereotypes. We understand that we are all standing before God together, and there is a feeling of special unity between the army, the Church and those who work on Ilyinka.

Over the years, more than three thousand cadets and soldiers of the Airborne Forces have passed through our celebrations. Now for them this day means not only bathing in the fountain, but the memory of their heavenly patron. They went through the procession, together with the commander prayed at the Execution Ground, solemnly walked along Red Square in front of the icon of their heavenly patron. For any officer and soldier, this is a sign of special trust and a great honor, the memory of such an event remains for life.

As for hooliganism, both the commander of the Airborne Forces, Colonel-General Vladimir Anatolyevich Shamanov, and the chairman of the Union of Russian Paratroopers, Colonel-General Valery Aleksandrovich Vostrotin, have repeatedly said that “mummers” will go out for a walk with the paratroopers on August 2. There are few of them, but they give the holiday an unnecessary color.

- I read in the comments to the photos from the procession that the Church should not be in the army, it interferes with its own business. What can be answered?

- Does such a commentator have an internal right to make such statements on the Internet, are these empty words? I would be interested to see how he himself would behave on the battlefield or in other circumstances that require self-sacrifice from a person. We have veterans of Afghanistan present at the celebration. There is an icon of Elijah the Prophet, which traveled all over Afghanistan; the icon contains parts of the Afghan land, where bloody battles took place. The veterans nicknamed her “Elijah the Prophet of Afghanistan”. These veterans know that it is impossible to go to war without faith, they confirm this with their lives. Would such a critic of the Church be able to approach these veterans and, without inner guile, tell them that they are doing wrong?

Most often, people who make such arguments either do not know their history, or suffer from a very characteristic ailment of modernity - lightness. Modern world welcomes lightness in people, Internet discussions suggest lightness, irresponsibility of judgments. People think that there are no problems to talk about and speak out about everything in the world, even about what, perhaps, by several orders of magnitude exceeds the level of their personal development. Sometimes "the abilities of the mind do not correspond to the power of living." Life and deeds modern man very often do not correspond to what he says. Explaining to him that he does not have the right to judge everything on the Internet is like explaining the difference in colors to a color blind person. How do you explain? He must first be cured, to restore the integrity of the individual. Therefore, before you object, find out if it is a question of serious damage? If yes, then the questions should not be taken seriously.

- There is also another claim - how can you bless warriors and weapons if there is a commandment "thou shalt not kill"?

Yes, the Church blesses weapons. But the Church does not bless murder. Weapons are not only meant to take lives in war. It, among other things, keeps people from evil. Why a military rifle? Why does a cop need a gun? Let's take everything from them. And then other people will come, with weapons, who have no internal restrictions. And they will command, and we will walk in formation. The commandment “Thou shalt not kill” applies to you personally. And if before your eyes someone else, a child, is being mocked, then another commandment is in effect: “There is no greater love than if a man lays down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). You will use effort or even force to save the child from danger. And in what form it will be possible to do this - as God wills. The Church does not bless weapons for murder, she blesses weapons for the defense of the Fatherland, for keeping other people from evil. And, perhaps, this blessing somehow keeps the owners of weapons themselves from misusing them.

— Parishes are always different, some are considered intellectual, others love missionary work. What is your income?

“Our temple is small and it is located in an area where there are no local residents, only employees of organizations located nearby. In this regard, our parish, by Moscow standards, is very small and looks like a penitent family, everyone knows each other. Priests at confession have the opportunity to devote time to all parishioners. The structure and order of the service allow you to talk with everyone and, if possible, provide support in spiritual life, sort out some spiritual, and sometimes even everyday issues.

Another feature of the parish is a large family Sunday School. The school is a continuation of our parish life outside of worship. Children from two years old to the most respectable age study here. This is not a school that you can finish and get a certificate. This is a common family parish business, where after the service there is an opportunity to gather according to interests, listen to a lecture, go on a hike, go on a pilgrimage, share joy and sorrow with each other.

Interviewed by Kirill Milovidov

Temple of Elijah the Prophet in Kitay-gorod

The Temple of Elijah the Prophet was built in Moscow in 1519 on the territory of the Elijah Monastery. In a rebuilt form, the temple has survived to this day and gave the name to Ilyinka Street. In 1606, a popular uprising against False Dmitry I began with a strike on the bell of the Ilyinsky temple. In Soviet times, the temple was closed, the bell tower was demolished, and the interior was divided into floors and rooms, which housed communal apartments and various organizations.

Services in the temple were resumed in 1995. After the prophet Elijah was chosen as the patron of the paratroopers, the top leadership of the Airborne Forces began to look for a suitable temple. With the blessing of Patriarch Alexy II, the churches of Elijah the Prophet in Moscow were examined, and the choice was made on the church in Kitay-gorod, although it was in disrepair. Colonel-General Georgy Shpak, who commanded the Airborne Forces, turned to Patriarch Alexy II with a request to designate the temple of Elijah the Prophet as a military temple of the Airborne Forces, and the Patriarch gave his blessing.

The first joint celebrations with the Airborne Forces were held in Moscow on the square in front of the building of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 2003. In 2005, the first religious procession took place along Ilyinka, and the pre-revolutionary tradition of prayer singing on Red Square was restored.

Moscow city diocese

Ilyin's day since the times of Ancient Russia was considered one of the main Christian holidays of the year. On August 2, it is customary to honor the prophet Elijah, who lived in the kingdom of Israel in the 9th century BC. According to legend, he was a zealous champion of Judaism and devoted his life to denouncing idolatry. In some nations, Ilya, like ancient god Perun, is considered a thunderer. In addition, the saint is the heavenly patron of the Airborne Forces, who celebrate their birthday on August 2.

Why Ilya the Prophet is the patron of the Airborne Forces

On August 2, Russia celebrates one of the most beloved holidays of the people - the day of the Airborne Forces. Warriors in blue berets celebrate it widely, and those of them who consider themselves Orthodox say with pride that on the same day the Church remembers the prophet Elijah. Therefore, in recent times the saint is increasingly called the patron saint of airborne troops. This is not surprising, because in Christian religion Ilya is revered as an "air warrior". According to legend, God's prophet, who lived 900 years before the birth of Christ, has not died to this day. He ascended to heaven in a fiery chariot.

Why Elijah the Prophet dragged away an hour and threw a piece of ice into the water

Since ancient times, many folk proverbs and sayings have been associated with the name of the prophet. One of them - "Ilya the prophet dragged away two hours" - is associated with a change in the length of daylight hours. It was believed that after July 12, when the feast of the apostles Peter and Paul is celebrated, it is reduced by an hour ("Peter and Paul reduced the hour"), and after Ilyin's day - by two.

Ilyin's day is a kind of boundary between summer and autumn. From August 2 to folk calendar cold matinees began, and the water was considered unsuitable for bathing. This was often explained by the fact that a deer dipped its horns or hooves into it, or the saint himself threw a piece of ice into the water (hence the proverbs “Ilya the prophet threw an ice floe into the water”, “Ilya the Prophet dropped a lump of ice”).

Other signs and customs on Ilyin's day and the life of the prophet Elijah

Ilya is one of biblical prophets who foretold and prepared the coming of Christ and the new creed to earth. The image of the saint was imprinted in Old Testament. According to legend, his father had a vision: some men “twisted the baby Ilya with fire” and gave him a fiery flame instead of food.

The main feat of Elijah was his struggle against the apostate Ahab, who worshiped the pagan god Baal. To turn the king into Jewish faith the prophet foretold: there will be neither dew nor rain until he says otherwise. The prediction came true - a drought and famine began, which lasted three and a half years. Ilya at that time was in voluntary exile, and, according to the story about him, he lived in solitude, and the ravens brought him food.

Three years later, Elijah challenged Ahab to see which of them could stop the famine. Ahab gathered 850 priests of Baal, while Elijah acted alone - and won, causing torrents of rain. When the king tried to seize the prophet, heavenly fire burned down the soldiers, and the last detachment sent by the king went over to the side of Elijah. According to legend, the prophet at the end of his earthly journey was transferred to heaven in a fiery chariot, without having experienced death.

Most of the signs and customs associated with the day of Elijah the Prophet relate to the onset of autumn, weather forecasting and harvesting. On Ilyin's Day, it was strictly forbidden to work in the field: mowed hay or harvested bread will not go for the future, they will be burned by the holy thunderer, angry for disrespect. It was believed that bad weather began with this holiday, all evil spirits returned to the water, so it was forbidden to swim. If you believe the signs, then the rain on Ilyin's day portends a good harvest for next year.

Also for this holiday, it was customary to bake the first bread from the new harvest, which the whole village enjoyed, arrange religious processions and pray to the prophet for rain or, conversely, for clear weather - depending on what was needed.

The first jumps, the taking of the oath, the gathering of clergy - this is not the whole list of events in which the priests take part, feeding the military personnel of the Airborne Forces. Archpriest Mikhail Vasiliev, Head of the Airborne Forces Sector of the Synodal Department for Cooperation with Armed Forces and law enforcement agencies.

Priests - employees of the sector of the Airborne Forces in the summer, as well as in the rest of the year, regularly work in units and formations of the Airborne Forces. For example, the priest of the 45th Special Purpose Regiment of the Airborne Forces, Sergiy Arkhipov, recently took part in the preparation and conduct of the first jumps of a company of young replenishment near Vyazma, while he himself jumped with a parachute. Priest Alexander Shkurenko, who takes care of the 38th Airborne Regiment, recently also made joint jumps with the military personnel of the regiment and officers of the Airborne Forces command at the landing site of Zhitovo, Ryazan Region. In many units and formations of the Airborne Forces, before the first jumps and taking the military oath, prayers are performed.

The same activities are carried out in units and formations of the Strategic Missile Forces, as well as in the training centers of the Strategic Missile Forces. So, recently, Archpriest Alexander Soldatenkov took part in taking the oath in the garrison of the headquarters of the Strategic Missile Forces in Vlasikha. In the planned mode of work, classes are held with military personnel, holding conversations, participating in worship. Recently, on the day of remembrance of the Royal Martyrs, Archpriest Alexander Soldatenkov celebrated a liturgy at the headquarters of the Strategic Missile Forces for the young replenishment of the garrison, at which 120 soldiers and sergeants took communion. The same services were held in the 45th Special Purpose Regiment of the Airborne Forces, where 89 people received communion over the past week.
The clergy, who minister to the servicemen of the 7th Airborne Assault Combined Division of the Airborne Forces, which took part in the aftermath of the man-made disaster in Krymsk from the first hours, were also present at the scene.
On July 27, we held memorial events on the territory of the Smolensk diocese: the grand opening of the monument to Vasily Margelov and the consecration of the monument to the soldier of the Airborne Forces of the 4th Airborne Corps who died in 1942.

The celebration of the Day of the Airborne Forces was traditionally held on August 2, on the day of memory of Elijah the Prophet, the patron saint of the Airborne Forces, liturgies were served in the temples of units and formations of the Airborne Forces. A religious procession took place on Red Square, a prayer service was performed. On the same day, an exhibition was opened at the All-Russian Exhibition Center in Moscow, where our mobile temple is also presented. Before the opening, we also served a prayer service.
From year to year, connections between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Airborne Forces are becoming more and more strengthened. We constantly feel support from the commander of the Airborne Forces, Colonel-General Vladimir Shamanov, commanders of units and formations. A similar situation is developing in the Strategic Missile Forces.
Cooperation with representatives of the clergy of other religious denominations is being strengthened. In particular, I would like to mention Mullah Ali Hazrat, who is working in the unit in the Volga region. He along with Orthodox priest nourishes the servicemen, teaching them kindness, love, harmony, mutual understanding. This has a very positive impact on military personnel of the Muslim and Orthodox faiths.