Statue of Saint Isaiah (detail)

The prophet Saint Elijah is the only figure from the Ancient Testament present in the Basilica.
He was a citizen, perhaps a native, of Jerusalem. His writings give unmistakable signs of high culture.
The Roman Martyrology commemorates Isaias on 6 July. His tomb is believed to have been in Northern Palestine, whence his relics were taken to Constantinople in A.D. 442.