Byzantine Catholic Church in America

July 20, 2025

Feast of the Holy Glorious Prophet Elias

And [Elijah] said to her, “Give me your son,” and he took him out of her arms and carried him up to a loft where he slept and laid him on his own bed. He cried to the Lord and said, “O Lord, my God, have You brought tragedy upon the widow with whom I live by killing her son?” And he stretched himself upon the child three times and cried to the Lord and said, “O Lord, my God, I pray that You let this child’s soul come into him again.”

The Lord heard the voice of Elijah, and the soul of the child came into him again, and he was revived. Elijah took the child and brought him down out of the chamber into the house and returned him to his mother, and Elijah said, “See, your son lives!” (1 Kings 17:19-23)

The icon is of the Holy Glorious Prophet Elias (July 20th).

Books of the Bible – Overview

This page provides a full listing of the books of the Bible - both Old and New Testaments together with a one line summary.

Old Testament

Pentateuch (Law)

Book	Summary
Genesis	The book of beginnings—creation, the fall, the flood, and God's covenant with Abraham.
Exodus	God delivers Israel from slavery in Egypt and gives the Law at Mount Sinai.
Leviticus	Laws on worship, sacrifice, and holiness for Israel.
Numbers	Israel's wilderness journey and preparation to enter the Promised Land.
Deuteronomy	Moses’ final sermons, reviewing the Law and renewing the covenant.

Historical Books

Book	Summary
Joshua	Israel enters and conquers the Promised Land under Joshua’s leadership.
Judges	Israel cycles through sin and deliverance under God-appointed judges.
Ruth	A Moabite woman’s faithfulness leads to the line of King David.
1 Samuel	Israel demands a king; Saul rises and falls.
2 Samuel	David’s reign: triumphs, sins, and God’s covenant.
1 Kings	Solomon builds the Temple; the kingdom divides.
2 Kings	Israel and Judah fall into idolatry and are conquered.
1 Chronicles	Genealogies and King David’s reign from a priestly perspective.
2 Chronicles	Solomon’s reign and Judah’s kings up to the exile.
1 Esdras	Alternate history of Ezra-Nehemiah with Temple rebuilding.
Ezra	Return from exile and the restoration of Jerusalem.
Nehemiah	Rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls and spiritual renewal.
Tobit	A righteous man and his son guided by the angel Raphael.
Judith	A widow saves Israel by bravery and faith.
Esther	A Jewish queen saves her people in Persia.
1 Maccabees	The Maccabean revolt against Hellenistic oppression.
2 Maccabees	Martyrdom and resurrection hope during Jewish resistance.
3 Maccabees	God protects Jews from persecution in Egypt.
4 Maccabees	Philosophical reflection on reason and faith under trial.

Wisdom Books

Book	Summary
Job	A righteous man’s suffering and dialogue about justice.
Psalms	Songs and prayers of worship, lament, and hope.
Proverbs	Sayings offering wisdom for daily life.
Ecclesiastes	A search for meaning in a fleeting world.
Song of Songs	A poetic dialogue of love and longing.
Wisdom of Solomon	Praise of wisdom and critique of idolatry.
Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)	A manual of ethical and religious instruction.

Major Prophets

Book	Summary
Isaiah	Prophecies of judgment, hope, and the coming Messiah.
Jeremiah	Warnings before Jerusalem’s fall and promises of a new covenant.
Lamentations	Poetic grief over Jerusalem’s destruction.
Baruch	Reflections on sin, exile, and hope.
Ezekiel	Visions of judgment and future restoration.
Daniel	Stories of faith in exile and apocalyptic visions.

Minor Prophets

Book	Summary
Hosea	God’s faithful love symbolized in a troubled marriage.
Joel	Locusts and future hope in the Day of the Lord.
Amos	Prophecies against injustice and empty worship.
Obadiah	Judgment against Edom’s pride.
Jonah	A prophet’s reluctant mission to Nineveh.
Micah	Judgment and the promise of a humble king.
Nahum	Fall of Nineveh foretold.
Habakkuk	Faith in the face of injustice.
Zephaniah	The Day of the Lord brings both wrath and renewal.
Haggai	Encouragement to rebuild the Temple.
Zechariah	Visions of restoration and a coming king.
Malachi	Final call to covenant faithfulness.

New Testament

Gospels and Acts

Book	Summary
Matthew	Jesus as the Messiah, fulfilling Jewish prophecy.
Mark	A fast-paced Gospel focused on action and suffering.
Luke	Jesus’ compassion and inclusion of the marginalized.
John	Jesus’ divinity, signs, and personal encounters.
Acts of the Apostles	The Holy Spirit builds the early Church.

Pauline Epistles

Book	Summary
Romans	Salvation by grace through faith.
1 Corinthians	Correcting church issues and celebrating resurrection.
2 Corinthians	Paul defends his apostleship and ministry.
Galatians	Freedom in Christ and life by the Spirit.
Ephesians	Unity of the Church as the body of Christ.
Philippians	Joy and humility in Christ.
Colossians	Christ as the fullness of God and head of the Church.
1 Thessalonians	Encouragement and teaching on Christ’s return.
2 Thessalonians	Clarification on the Second Coming.
1 Timothy	Guidance for leadership and doctrine.
2 Timothy	Final exhortations to a young pastor.
Titus	Sound teaching and church order.
Philemon	A personal appeal for forgiveness and freedom.
Hebrews	Christ as High Priest and fulfillment of the Law.

Catholic Epistles

Book	Summary
James	Faith and works in everyday life.
1 Peter	Hope in suffering and Christian conduct.
2 Peter	Warnings about false teachers.
1 John	Love and assurance in the truth.
2 John	Walking in truth and avoiding deception.
3 John	Hospitality and faithfulness.
Jude	Contending for the faith.

Apocalypse

Book	Summary
Revelation	Visions of judgment and the ultimate victory of Christ.