E02213: Greek inscription just possibly referring to *Elijah (Old Testament prophet, S00217). Found at Rīmet al-Loḥf (ancient Rimea), to the north of Dionysias and Bostra (Roman province of Arabia). Probably 6th c.

The inscription is on a reused stone lintel. Its precise meaning is not clear:

Line 1 consists of the name Elijah in the accusative case, preceded by a cross: + Ἠλίαν.

Line 2 apparently contains a Christian acclamation of the good fortune of the faction of the Reds (here, however, named οἱ Κόχχινοι/'the Purples' instead of the regular term οἱ Ῥούσιοι): + νικᾷ ἡ τύ- + χη τ<ῶ>ν κοχ(χίνων?) +

If this inscription does refer to the saint, it might record an invocation of his help for the faction (for similar invocations, see: E00790; E00844; cf. E00864; E00917), or it might commemorate the construction of a church dedicated to the prophet (considering the fact that the stone is a lintel and that the cult of Elijah was very popular in the region). But, as our Elijah is not termed ἅγιος, we cannot be sure whether the saint is meant at all.

For further comments see the edition in IGLS 15/2, no. 381.