St. Elias - completed background

The red background in the icon of St. Elias is rare. It is far more common for an icon to have a gilded background or an ochre background or even detailed scenery than to have a red background. Red is used in the icon of St. Elias to represent the fire of fiery chariot in which he was taken to heaven, body and soul. It also refers to the Holy Spirit, Who spoke through him as a prophet.