Archangel MichaelThe Holy Archangel Michael is one of the most celebrated of the Angels and bodiless powers; he is called the Archistrategos, or chief commander, of all the bodiless powers. According to Holy Scripture and Tradition, he has interceded for humanity multiple times and continues to serve as the Defender of the Faith The name Michael means "like unto God" or "Who is like unto God?" Michael first appears in the Old Testament in the book of Joshua's account of the fall of Jericho. Though Michael is not mentioned by name in the text, it is said that Joshua "looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand." When the still unaware Joshua asks which side of the fight the Archangel is on, Michael responds, "neither...but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come" (Joshua 5:13-14). In the book of Daniel, Michael appears first to help the Archangel Gabriel defeat the Persians (10:13). In a later vision it is revealed to Daniel that "at that time [the end times] Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then..." (Ch. 12)1. Michael thus plays an important role as the protector of Israel and later of his chosen people, the Church. The Church Fathers also ascribe to Michael the following events: During the Exodus of the Israelite from Egypt he went before them in the form of a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night; the power of the great Chief Commander of God was manifest in the annihilation of the 185 thousand soldiers of the Assyrian emperor Sennacherib (4/2 Kings 19:35); also in the smiting of the impious leader Heliodorus (2 Macc. 3: 24-26); and in the protection of the Three Holy Youths: Ananias, Azarias and Misail, thrown into the fiery furnace for their refusal to worship an idol (Dan 3:22-25). Through the will of God, the Chief Commander Michael transported the Prophet Habbakuk (December 2) from Judea to Babylon, to give food to Daniel in the lions' den (Dan. 14:33-37). The Archangel Michael disputed with the devil over the body of the holy Prophet Moses (Jude 1:9). In New Testament times, the holy
Archangel Michael showed his power when he
miraculously saved a young man, cast into the sea by
robbers with a stone about his neck on the shores of
Mt Athos. This story is found in the Athonite
Paterikon, and in the Life of St Neophytus of
Docheiariou (November 9). Michael also has been associated with
healing in other cases, as well as his primary role as
leader of the Church Militant. He has been said to
appear to Emperor Constantine the Great (d. 337) at
Constantinople, to have intervened in assorted
battles, and appeared, sword in hand, over the
mausoleum of Hadrian, in apparent answer to the
prayers of Pope St. Gregory I the Great (r. 590-604)
that a plague in Rome should cease. The Holy Archangel Michael The
angelic hosts have to defend the creation against the
spiritual powers which seek to cast it into ruin. The
Apocalypse shows us the celestial war was, which
Michael and his angels fight against the dragon and
his angels (Rev 12:7-9), a war which continues on
earth in the spiritual combats in which men are
assisted by angels. Hence the warrior like character
that angelic apparitions often take. Thus, the
"captain of the Lord" appeared to Joshua with a sword
in his hand (Joshua 5:13-15). the Archangel Michael
"chief captain of the host" (Archistrategos) presides
over the struggle against the forces of the demons:
"there where thy grace appears, the power of the
demons is pursued; for the fallen Lucifer cannot bear
to see thy light. We pray thee then to extinguish his
burning features, directed against us... and to free
us from his temptations. There are several icons of the Archangel
Michael that he has personally intervened miraculously
to the "authoring" of his image;
In Russian iconography he is most likely to be wearing red. In many instances, Michael tramples the devil under his feet, which may be depicted as a dragon. This comes from the tradition that Michael was the main opponent of Satan in the battle for Heaven. Satan, previously called Samael, was always looking to discredit Israel, while Michael was its main protector. In the end, Satan attempted to drag Michael down in his fall from the heights, but Michael was rescued by God.
Troparion (Tone 4) [1] |