Joel, son of Penuel, is the second prophecy in the order of the twelve minor prophets in the Bible after Hosea. He prophesied in the Kingdom of Judah and perhaps in Jerusalem in particular, at a time that cannot be determined exactly whether it was before or after the exile.

The main topic for him is the Day of the Lord (1:15), meaning the day on which the Lord will come and judge the earth. The Lord urges His people, through the prophet Joel, to turn from their error: “Return to me with all your heart, and with fasting and weeping and mourning, rend your heart and not your clothes, and return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in compassion...” (2:12-13).

The Prophet Joel continues that God’s love has no limits and what He prepares for His people is great and will extend to include all nations: “I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions” (2:28).

These words took place on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended on Christ’s disciples in the form of tongues of fire. The Apostle Peter cited it in his sermon after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2).

The church celebrates him on the nineteenth of October, on which everyone who was called by his name Joel, or in French Joël or Joëlle, celebrates it.

Troparia in the second tune
We celebrate the remembrance of your Prophet Joel, and through him we pray to you, O Lord, to save our souls.