Commemorated on October 19
An early prophet, before the time of Christ, Joel was blessed with Godly wisdom and grace.
He is considered to be the second of the twelve minor prophets. As he wrote in the book of Joel, the prediction of the fall of Jerusalem. He also said that after the Savior of the World came, the Holy Spirit would be given to all of the people.
He wrote prophecies of the birth of Christ, as well as symbolically explaining the mysteries of God. In Joel 2:30, He writes that blood parallels to God becoming man, fire to represent the Divinity of Christ and smoke as the Holy Spirit.
It is unclear what period he lived, but it is assumed to be around the 9th Century BC. According to ancient tradition, after spending a life of serving God, his body rested in modern day Jish, Israel.
Troparion & Kontakion
Troparion — Tone 2
We celebrate the memory / of Your prophet Joel, O Lord; / through him we beseech You: / save our souls.
Kontakion — Tone 4
(Podoben: “Today You have shown forth…”)
Illumined by the Spirit, your heart was a vessel of illustrious prophecy, / seeing far-off things as though they were present. / Therefore, we venerate you, glorious prophet Joel.