Cathedral of the Archangel Michael. Cathedral of the Archangel Michael and other ethereal Heavenly Powers
The celebration of the Council of the Archangel Michael of God and other disembodied Heavenly Powers was established at the beginning of the 4th century at the Local Council of Laodicea, which took place several years before the First Ecumenical Council. The Council of Laodicea, by its 35th canon, condemned and rejected the heretical worship of angels as creators and rulers of the world and approved their Orthodox veneration. The holiday is celebrated in November - the ninth month from March (with which the year began in ancient times) - in accordance with the number of the 9 ranks of Angels. The eighth day of the month (according to the old style) indicates the future Council of all the Heavenly Powers on the day of the Last Judgment of God, which the holy fathers call the “eighth day,” for after this age, which runs in weeks of days, the “eighth day” will come, and then “he will come The Son of Man in His Glory and all the holy Angels with Him” ().
The Angelic ranks are divided into three hierarchies - highest, middle and lowest. Each hierarchy consists of three ranks. The highest hierarchy includes: Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones. Closest to the Holy Trinity are the six-winged ones Seraphim(Flaming, Fiery) (). They burn with love for God and encourage others to do so.
After the Seraphim, the Lord will have many purified ones Cherubim(). Their name means: outpouring of wisdom, enlightenment, for through them, shining with the light of knowledge of God and understanding of the mysteries of God, wisdom and enlightenment are sent down for true knowledge of God.
Behind the Cherubim come the God-bearing ones by the grace given to them for service, Thrones(), mysteriously and incomprehensibly bearing God. They serve God's justice.
The average Angelic hierarchy consists of three ranks: Dominance, Strength and Authority.
Dominations() rule over the subsequent ranks of Angels. They instruct God-appointed earthly rulers in wise governance. Dominions teach one to control one's feelings, tame sinful lusts, enslave the flesh to the spirit, dominate one's will, and overcome temptations.
Powers() fulfill the will of God. They work miracles and send down the grace of miracles and clairvoyance to the saints of God. The forces help people to obey, strengthen them in patience, and bestow spiritual strength and courage.
Authorities(; ) have the power to tame the power of the devil. They ward off demonic temptations from people, confirm ascetics, protect them, and help people in the fight against evil thoughts.
The lower hierarchy includes three ranks: Principalities, Archangels and Angels.
Beginnings() command over the lower angels, directing them to fulfill Divine commands. They are entrusted with managing the universe, protecting countries, peoples, tribes. They began to instruct people to give everyone the honor due to their rank. They teach superiors to perform official duties not for the sake of personal glory and benefits, but for the sake of the honor of God and the benefit of their neighbors.
Archangels() they preach the good news about the great and glorious, reveal the secrets of faith, prophecy and understanding of the will of God, strengthen the holy faith in people, enlightening their minds with the light of the Holy Gospel.
Angels() are closest to people. They proclaim God's intentions and instruct people to lead a virtuous and holy life. They protect believers, keep them from falling, raise the fallen, never leave us and are always ready to help if we wish.
All ranks of the Heavenly Forces bear the general name of Angels - in essence of their service. The Lord reveals His will to the highest Angels, and they, in turn, enlighten the rest.
The book “Guide to Painting Icons of Saints” says that Saint Archangel Michael “is depicted trampling (stomping on) Lucifer and, as a winner, holding a green date branch in his left hand on his chest, and in his right hand a spear, on top of which a white banner with the image of a red cross, in commemoration of the victory of the Cross over the devil.” (Academician, Moscow, Synod. Typ., 1910, p. 226).
Russian Chrysostom, Archbishop of Kherson Innokenty wrote for edification: “He was the first to rebel against Lucifer (Satan), when he rebelled against the Almighty. It is known how this war ended, with the overthrow of the Lucifer (Satan) from heaven. Since then, Archangel Michael has not ceased to fight for the glory of the Creator and Lord of all, for the cause of saving the human race, for the church and its children.
...Therefore, for those who are adorned with the name of the first of the Archangels, it is most fitting to be distinguished by zeal for the glory of God, loyalty to the King of Heaven and the kings of the earth, constant war against vice and wickedness, constant humility and self-sacrifice" (Seven Archangels of God, M., 1996, pp. .5–6).
Archangel Gabriel
Archangel Gabriel(from Hebrew - man of God).
One of the highest angels appears in the Old and New Testaments as the bearer of joyful tidings. He announces to the priest Zechariah in the temple, during the offering of incense, the birth of John the Baptist, and to the Ever-Virgin in Nazareth - about the birth of the Savior of the world. According to the Bible, he is considered the guardian angel of the chosen people. Kabbalists consider him the teacher of Patriarch Joseph; According to the teachings of the Mohammedans, Mohammed received his revelations from him and was carried to Heaven by him. On the icons he is depicted with candles and a jasper mirror as a sign that the ways of God are not clear until time, but are comprehended over time by studying the word of God and obedience to the voice of conscience.
Mentioned in canonical books:
Saint Archangel Gabriel, as explained in the “Guide to Painting Icons,” “is depicted holding a lantern with a candle lit inside in his right hand, and a stone mirror in his left hand” (Fartusov, p. 226). This mirror made of green jasper (jasper) with black and white spots on it, illuminated by the light of truth, reflects the good and bad deeds of nations, proclaims to people the secrets of God's economy and the salvation of mankind.
The name Gabriel, received by the Archangel from God, means in Russian Fortress of God or Power of God.
Archangel Barachiel
Archangel Barachiel (God's blessing).
Bible
The name of this Heavenly Messenger Barachiel is translated into Russian - God's blessing.
The book “Guide to the Writing of Icons” says the following about him: “The Holy Archangel Barachiel, the dispenser of God’s blessings and intercessor, asking for God’s benefits to us: he is depicted carrying white roses on his chest on his clothes, as if rewarding at the command of God for prayers, works and moral behavior of people and foretelling bliss and endless peace in the Kingdom of Heaven" (Fartusov, p. 227). These white roses mean God's blessing. What could be purer and more fragrant than white roses, from which rose oil is extracted? So the Lord, through his Archangel Barachiel, sends his blessing from the depths of his clothing to people for their prayers and labors.
“Since the blessings of God are varied,” writes St. Innocent of Kherson, “then the ministry of this Angel is diverse: through him the blessing of God is sent to every deed, to every good activity in life” (Cit. cit., p. 14).
Archangel Salafiel
Archangel Salafiel (prayer to God).
“And so the Lord gave us a whole host of prayer angels, with their leader Salafiel,” writes Bishop Innocent of Kherson, “so that with the pure breath of their lips they would warm our cold hearts to prayer, so that they would admonish us when and how to pray, so that they would offer our very offerings to the throne of grace. When you see, brethren, on the icon of the Archangel standing in a prayerful position, with his eyes downcast, with his hands reverently placed on his chest (chest), then know that this is Salafiel” (Cit. cit., pp. 11– 12).
The book “Guide to the Writing of Icons” says: “The Holy Archangel Salafiel, a man of prayer, always praying to God for people and inciting people to prayer. He is depicted with his face and eyes bowed (lowered) down, and his hands pressed (folded) with a cross on his chest, as if tenderly praying” (Farusov, pp. 226–227).
Archangel Yehudiel
Archangel Yehudiel (praise of God).
This name is known only from legends. It does not appear in the Bible or the Gospel.
The name of the Holy Archangel Jehudiel translated into Russian Glorifier of God or Praise God, after all, he really, as the inscription on the fresco of the Annunciation Cathedral says, “has the ministry of establishing people who work hard, or, for the glory of God, to intercede for them reward.”
As explained in the “Guide to the Writing of Icons,” the Archangel of God Jehudiel “is depicted holding a golden crown in his right hand, as a reward from God for useful and pious works to holy people, and in his left hand a scourge of three black ropes with three ends, as punishment for sinners for laziness in pious labors” (Fartusov, p. 227).
“Each of us, young and old, is obliged to live and work for the glory of God,” writes Archbishop Innocent of Kherson. The greater the feat, the higher and brighter the reward. In the right hand of the Archangel is not just a crown: it is a reward for every Christian who works for the glory of God” (Cit. cit., p. 13).
Archangel Raphael
Archangel Raphael (God's help).
Mentioned in non-canonical book: .
“Whoever wishes to be worthy of Raphael’s heavenly help, must first of all be merciful to those in need,” instructs Archbishop Innocent of Kherson (Cit. cit., p. 9).
Raphael in Aramaic means God's healing or God's healing.
The “Guide to Painting Icons” briefly explains that: “Holy Archangel Raphael, physician of human ailments: is depicted holding in his left hand a vessel (alavaster) with medicinal means (medicine), and in his right hand a pod, that is, a clipped bird feather for anointing wounds "(Fartusov, p. 226).
Archangel Uriel
Archangel Uriel (fire of God).
Mentioned in non-canonical book: .
According to the Tradition of the Orthodox Christian Church, the Holy Archangel Uriel was appointed by God to protect after the Fall and the expulsion of Adam. According to the teachings of the Holy Fathers, Archangel Uriel, being the radiance of the divine fire, is the enlightener of the darkened, unbelievers and ignoramuses. And the very name of the Archangel, corresponding to his special service, means Fire of God or Light of God.
According to the iconographic canon of the Orthodox Church, the holy Archangel named Fire of God“depicted holding a naked sword in his right hand against his chest, and a fiery flame in his left” (Fartusov, p. 226).
“Like an Angel of light, he enlightens the minds of people with the revelation of truths that are useful to them; like the Angel of Divine fire, he inflames hearts with love for God and destroys impure earthly attachments in them,” explains Bishop Innocent, Archimandrite of Kherson (Cit. cit., p. 10).
Archangel Jeremiel
Archangel Jeremiel (height of God).
Mentioned in non-canonical book: .
“In the 3rd book of Ezra (4:36) the Archangel Jeremiel (the height of God) is also mentioned,” writes Archimandrite Nicephorus in the “Biblical Encyclopedia” (M., 1891, p. 63). He was present at the first conversation between Archangel Uriel and the priest Ezra and answered the latter’s question about the signs preceding the end of the sinful world and about the beginning of the eternal kingdom of the righteous.
The name of the Holy Archangel Jeremiel means in Russian Height of God or Exaltation of God. He is sent from above from God to man in order to promote the elevation and return of man to God. The Archangel of God not only reveals the gloomy prospect of a sinful world, they say, the further it gets, the worse, but also helps to see the holy seeds of eternal life in a dying world (see). He is depicted holding scales in his right hand.
On November 21, Orthodox Christians celebrate the Council of the Archangel Michael and other ethereal Heavenly Powers. We will tell you about the history and traditions of the holiday; about who the Archangels are and why Michael is among them- Archangel.
What is the Council of the Archangel Michael and other ethereal Heavenly Powers
The Council of the Archangel Michael and other ethereal Heavenly Powers is a Christian holiday, which in the Russian Orthodox Church is celebrated on November 21 in the new style (November 8 in the old style). The holiday is celebrated in November, the ninth month from March (previously the year began with March). The fact is that, according to Christian theology, there are nine ranks of angels. And the eighth day of the month (according to the old style) is an indication of the future Council of all the powers of heaven, which will take place on the day of the Last Judgment. The Holy Fathers called the Last Judgment “the eighth day.”
When is the Council of the Archangel Michael celebrated?
The celebration of the Council of the Archangel Michael and other disembodied heavenly powers takes place on November 21 according to the new style (November 8 - according to the old style). This is an everlasting holiday.
What can you eat at the Cathedral of the Archangel Michael?
There is no fasting on this day, that is, Orthodox Christians can eat any food.
Angelic ranks
The ranks of angels come in three hierarchies. The highest is the Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones. Closest to the Holy Trinity are the six-winged Seraphim (translated as “Flaming, Fiery”). Middle - Dominance, Strength and Power. The lowest - the Beginnings, Archangels and angels.
All ranks of heavenly powers are called angels. Angel means "messenger". This reflects their purpose - to convey God’s will to people, to be protectors and teachers of people. Archangel Michael stands above all nine ranks and is therefore called the archangel.
We also know the names of other archangels: Gabriel (“the power of God”), Raphael (“the healing of God”), Uriel (“the light of God”), Selaphiel (“the prayer book of God”), Jehudiel (“who glorifies God”), Barachiel (“ blessing of God"), Jeremiel ("exaltation to God").
archangel Michael
Archangel Michael translated from Hebrew means “who is like God” or in a slightly different way, with a questioning intonation - “who is like God?” He is called the archangel because he led the heavenly army, which rebelled against the angels who had fallen away from God and their leader Dennitsa. We also know Dennitsa as Lucifer, which translated means “morning star.” The Lord endowed this angel with great perfections, but for his pride and rebellion against the Creator, Dennitsa was cast out of Heaven.
What does Archangel Michael help with, what do they pray to Archangel Michael for?
According to the hierarchy of angelic ranks, the Archangels preach the good news to people about the Mysteries of God and reveal God’s will to us. Historically in Rus', they prayed to Archangel Michael for help in getting rid of grief, when entering a new house and at the foundation of a house, for the protection of the royal throne and, in general, the state, for the salvation and preservation of Russia.
History of the celebration of the Council of the Archangel Michael
The Feast of the Council of the Archangel Michael and other disembodied Heavenly Powers was established by the decree of the Council of Laodicea, which took place around 363 - several years before the First Ecumenical Council.
Archangel Michael in the Old Testament
The tradition of the Church, which is revered by believers along with the Holy Scriptures, says that Archangel Michael was a participant in many Old Testament events. For example, he showed the way to the Israelites during the exodus from Egypt - in the form of a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night. In addition, he revealed to Joshua the will of the Lord to take Jericho and transferred the prophet Habakkuk from Judea to Babylon to give food to Daniel, imprisoned in the lions’ den.
Miracles associated with the name of Archangel Michael
Many miracles are associated with the name of Archangel Michael. Here's just one of the stories. Archangel Michael saved the Athonite youth. The robbers wanted to drown the young man: they dreamed of getting the luxurious treasury that he accidentally found. In memory of this miracle, the Bulgarian courtier Dokhiar built a temple on Mount Athos in honor of the Archangel Michael. The gold the boy found was used to decorate the church.
There are also miracles that happened on Russian soil. For example, in the Volokolamsk Patericon you can read the story of the Monk Paphnutius Borovsky about the miraculous salvation of Novgorod the Great: “And since Veliky Novgrad was never taken from the Hagarians ... sometimes, by God’s permission, it was a sin for our sake, the godless Hagaryan king Batu captured the Rosi land and burned it and went to The new city and God and the Most Pure Mother of God covered it with the appearance of Michael the Archangel, who forbade him to go against it. He went to the Lithuanian cities and came to Kyiv and saw the great Archangel Michael written above the doors of the stone church and the prince pointed with his finger: “Forbid me to go to Veliky Novgorod.”
Miracle of the Archangel Michael in Khoneh
The miracle of Archangel Michael in Khoneh occurred in the 4th century. As the legend says, in Phrygia (inland region in the west of Asia Minor) there was a temple built in honor of the Archangel Michael. Near that temple there flowed a spring in which, through a prayer to Archangel Michael, the mute daughter of one of the local residents was healed. In gratitude to the heavenly intercessor, the man built a temple here. Not only Christians, but also pagans went to the source for healing, many of whom renounced idols and turned to the faith of Christ.
In the church of St. Archangel Michael, the pious Archippus was a nun for 60 years. One day the pagans decided to destroy the temple and kill the sexton. To do this, they connected two mountain rivers into one channel and directed their flow to the temple. Saint Archippus fervently prayed to the Archangel Michael, and the Archangel appeared to him, with his rod he opened a cleft in the mountain and led the waters of a raging stream into it. The temple remained undamaged. The place where the miracle took place received the name Khona, which means “hole”, “cleft”. Hence the name “miracle of the Archangel Michael in Khoneh.”
Icon of the Cathedral of the Archangel Michael and other ethereal Heavenly Powers
On icons, the Archangels are depicted in accordance with the type of their ministry. Michael tramples the devil underfoot, in his left hand he holds a green date branch, in his right hand a spear with a white banner (sometimes a flaming sword), on which a scarlet cross is inscribed. Gabriel is painted with a branch of paradise, which he brought to the Virgin Mary on the day of the Annunciation, or with a luminous lantern in his right hand and a jasper mirror in his left. Raphael holds a vessel with healing potions in his left hand, and with his right he leads Tobiah, who is carrying a fish. Uriel holds a naked sword in his raised right hand at chest level, and a “flame of fire” in his lowered left hand. Selaphiel is depicted in a prayer position, looking down, with his hands folded on his chest. Jehudiel holds a golden crown in his right hand, and a scourge of three red (or black) ropes in his left. Barachiel's clothing features many pink flowers, and Jeremiel holds scales in his hand.
Prayers to the Archangel Michael of God
First prayer to the Archangel of God Michael
Holy and great Archangel of God Michael, the inscrutable and all-essential Trinity, the first primate of the Angels, the guardian and guardian of the human race, crushing with his army the head of the proud star in heaven and always putting to shame his malice and treachery on earth!
We resort to you with faith and we pray to you with love: be an indestructible shield and a firm protector of the Holy Church and our Orthodox Fatherland, protecting them with your lightning sword from all enemies, visible and invisible. Be a wise mentor and companion to all Orthodox Christians, bringing to them from the Throne of the King of Kings enlightenment and strength, joy, peace and consolation. Be the leader and invincible companion of our Christ-loving army, crowning it with glory and victories over our adversaries, so that all who oppose us will know that God and His holy Angels are with us!
O Archangel of God, do not forsake us, through your help and intercession, who today glorify your holy name; Behold, even though we are many sinners, we do not want to perish in our iniquities, but rather turn to the Lord and be quickened by Him to do good deeds. Illuminate our minds with the light of God, so that we may understand that God’s will for us is good and perfect, and we will know everything that we should do and that we should despise and abandon. Strengthen our weak will and weak will with the grace of the Lord, so that, having established ourselves in the law of the Lord, we will cease to be dominated by earthly thoughts and the lusts of the flesh, and for the sake of the corruptible and the earthly, eternal and heavenly, we will not forget. For all of these, ask us from above for true repentance, unfeigned sorrow for God and contrition for our sins, so that we may complete the remaining number of days of our temporary life in erasing the evils we have committed. When the hour of our death and liberation from the bonds of this mortal body approaches, do not leave us, Archangel of God, defenseless against the spirits of evil in heaven; the usual barriers to the souls of mankind from rising to the heavenly, and, protected by you, we will without stumbling reach those glorious villages of paradise, where there is no sorrow, no sighing, but endless life, and we will be honored to see the Most Blessed Face of our All-Good Lord and Master and give glory to Him, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.
Second prayer to the Archangel of God Michael
O Saint Michael the Archangel, bright and formidable commander of the Heavenly King! Before the Last Judgment, weaken me to repent of my sins, deliver my soul from the net that catches me and bring me to the God who created me, who sits on the Cherubim, and pray diligently for her, and through your intercession I will send her to a place of rest.
Oh, formidable commander of the Heavenly Powers, representative of all at the Throne of the Lord Christ, guardian of the strong man and wise armorer, strong commander of the Heavenly King! Have mercy on me, a sinner who requires your intercession, save me from all visible and invisible enemies, and moreover, strengthen me from the horror of death and from the embarrassment of the devil, and grant me the honor of unashamedly presenting myself to our Creator at the hour of His terrible and righteous judgment. Oh, all-holy, great Michael the Archangel! Do not despise me, a sinner, who prays to you for your help and intercession in this world and in the future, but grant me there together with you to glorify the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.
Troparion of the Council of the Archangel Michael and other ethereal Heavenly Powers
voice 4
Heavenly armies of the Archangels, we always pray to you, unworthy ones, and with your prayers protect us with the shelter of the wings of your immaterial glory, preserving us, falling diligently and crying out: deliver us from troubles, like the rulers of the Highest Powers.
Kontakion of the Council of the Archangel Michael and other ethereal Heavenly Powers
voice 2
Archangels of God, servants of the Divine glory, rulers of angels and human mentors, ask for what is useful to us and great mercy, like the Bodiless Archangels.
It is believed that it was Archangel Michael who appeared and helped Joan of Arc. The Archangel instructed Jeanne to carry out her mission - to crown Charles VII in Reims. According to legend, during the liberation of Orleans from the British, Michael, surrounded by a whole host of angels, appeared shining in the sky and fought on the side of the French.
According to the legend of Balkan Christians, Archangel Michael taught the martyrs Florus and Laurus the art of driving horses. That is why on local icons Flora and Laurus are often depicted with horses, the reins of which are held in the hands of the Archangel.
Coptic Christians dedicated the main river of Egypt, the Nile, to Saint Michael. The Copts adopted the Byzantine tradition of celebrating the Archangel Michael, but moved its date to November 12. Also, on the 12th of every month, a special service is held in the Coptic Church in memory of St. Michael, and on June 12, when the Nile overflows its banks, the Archangel is glorified for the flood of the river and the future harvest.
Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh. About names and angels. Day of the Archangel Michael
“No one like God” - this expressed all the knowledge of the great Archangel of his God. He does not describe Him, he does not explain Him - he stands up and testifies. This is his involvement in the radiance of the Divine, and this is the extent to which he reveals this radiance and opens the way to the mystery of the Lord with his word and the name that expresses his entire incomprehensible experience of the incomprehensible God.
There is a place in the book of Revelation where the seer John tells us that when the time comes and we will all be in the Kingdom of God, then everyone will receive a mysterious name, which only God who gives it knows, and the one who receives it will know it. This name seems to contain the whole secret of a person; this name says everything about him; No one can know this name except God and the one who receives it, because it defines that unique, unique relationship that exists between God and His creation - each and only creature for Him.
We bear the names of saints who lived and fulfilled their calling on earth; we are dedicated to them, just as churches are dedicated to this or that saint; and we should ponder both the meaning of his name and the personality of the saint, which is accessible to us from his life. After all, he is not only our prayer book, intercessor and defender, but to some extent also an image of what we could be. It is impossible to repeat anyone’s life, but it is possible to learn from the life of this or that person, a saint or even a sinner, to live more worthy of oneself and more worthy of God.
And today we celebrate the honor and memory of Archangel Michael, surrounded by the Angels of the Lord. Angels are messengers; An angel is someone whom the Lord can send on a mission and who will completely and completely fulfill it. It may seem strange that we call a whole group of the Lord's creatures by a name that denotes their office, their service, as if there was nothing else about them. And in fact this is so, and this is their holiness: purified, shining with God’s light, according to the word of Gregory Palamas and our liturgical books, they are second lights, reflections of the eternal light of the Divine. They do not have that opacity, that darkness that allows us to be called by a name, and this name is the definition of our place in the face of God and our place in the Lord’s creation. They are the second lights. What does this mean?
This means that some divine light flows through them unhindered, freely, like a wide river; but not just like through an empty chute, not just like through a lifeless glass, but the way the light flows, sparkles, shines, and multiplies, when it falls on a precious stone, reaches his heart and from there shoots out to the sides with an answering radiance, illuminating, and sometimes blinding with its beauty.
This is an image of true holiness, and in this respect they are truly Angels, because we recognize them, experience them only as the radiance of Divine light, a radiance not diminished, not darkened, but an increased and joyful radiance, bringing life - and the essence of their being and the essence of their holiness remains a mystery between them and God, Who knows the depths of His creation...
But their personal holiness is revealed to us especially by the separate name by which each of them is named. Some of these names entered the Holy Scriptures, were revealed to the experience of the Church and show us what their special holiness is. The Archangel of the Heavenly Powers, to whom many among us here and many in the Russian country are dedicated, is named Michael. "Michael" is a Hebrew word and it means "No one like God"; and this word expresses the entire stand of the great Archangel, when Dennitsa rebelled against God, wanting to establish himself in some, at least created, isolation and independence, and when the great Archangel Michael stood up and uttered this one word, which determined everything for him: “No one like God,” and established him in such a relationship with God that he became the keeper of the gates of heaven. “No one like God” - this expressed all the knowledge of the great Archangel of his God. He does not describe Him, he does not explain Him - he stands up and testifies. This is his involvement in the radiance of the Divine, and this is the extent to which he reveals this radiance and opens the way to the mystery of the Lord with his word and the name that expresses his entire incomprehensible experience of the incomprehensible God.
On the icons, Archangel Michael is depicted in armor, with a flaming sword in his hand. He tramples the dragon, which signifies evil; The Archangel stands at the gates of heaven, not allowing those who are not ready to enter this holy and sacred place; and he is also depicted on those gates of the iconostasis through which the clergy exits the altar: a priest with the Gospel, at the Great Entrance, or a deacon at the litany; and these are the gates through which, in the liturgical, liturgical order, no one enters the Holy of Holies, the altar.
Another Archangel, Gabriel, whose name means “Fortress of God,” is depicted on the gate through which the deacon enters back into the altar during the service. Gabriel is the one who announces to us that the door is open for us to enter again into the presence of God; that the power of God has been demonstrated, that God has overcome and we are saved. From the Evangelist Luke we know that Archangel Gabriel brought Zechariah the news of the birth of John the Baptist, and he also announced to the Virgin Mary that She had found grace from God and would give birth to the Savior to the world; That’s why we see him on icons with an olive branch in his hands - a sign of God’s reconciliation with the world.
We read about Archangel Raphael in the book of Tobit, how he accompanied his son Tobias and healed Tobit and his daughter-in-law, and his name means “Healing of God”; and the Holy Scripture tells us about other Archangels and Angels; and the faith of the Church, Christian experience tell us about Guardian Angels.
About the day of remembrance of the saint whose name we bear, we say that this is “the day of our Angel.” And in a sense, in the sense of our dedication to the saint, this is true; but with different holy people - as well as with the ordinary people around us - our communication develops in different ways: some are closer to us personally, through prayer and through their life, which we would like to imitate; others we admire as if from afar. Our relationship with the Guardian Angel is completely different: we are entrusted to him, and he is our Guardian, regardless of whether we turn to him, whether we remember him at all or not, like our mother and father, with whom we have an indestructible connection, no matter what we think, no matter how we act towards them, no matter how we behave...
And one more thing: one person on earth was called the messenger and Angel of the church faith: this is the Baptist John, and about him we read words exactly similar to what I just said about Angels. The beginning of the Gospel of Mark says about him: He is the voice of one crying in the wilderness... He is a voice, he is only the sound of the Lord’s voice, he is an Angel, because God Himself speaks through him, and he himself says about himself that he needs to diminish in order to the image of the Lord stood before people in full measure.
This is the way on earth; we must diminish, diminish, gradually lose what seems so precious, but in fact is the condensation of our visible nature. We must gradually become transparent in order to become, as it were, invisible - just as a precious stone is invisible and is revealed only by the light that, striking it, illuminates everything around. Then we seem to lose something of our temporary being, but only in order to acquire the inalienable knowledge of God, the only one that each of us who calls himself “I” can have and which he can reveal to all others, because each of us experiences God in a unique and unique way. Our path is from earth to Heaven, from our heavy incarnation into enlightenment and transparency... The angel on earth is the unfalse witness - John the Baptist, who is on the way, and the One Whom the Holy Scripture calls the “Great Council Angel” - God who came in the flesh.
These are the images, those thoughts, those thoughts from our veneration of the Angels, from our love for them, from our communication with them in prayer and their intercession for us, which can help us find the path of our own soul from earth to Heaven, from our own darkness to perfect enlightenment. Through the prayers of the holy Angels and Archangels, may the Lord grant us, having renounced ourselves, by free will, by love for God, to begin to diminish until God Himself shines forth in full measure in each of us. Amen.
Archangel Cathedral in the Kremlin
Since ancient times, the Cathedral of St. Archangel Michael in the Kremlin has been the tomb of the great princes and Russian tsars. In the old days it was called the “Church of St. Michael in the Square.”
The history of the Archangel Cathedral dates back to the 14th century. In 1333, the first Grand Duke of Moscow, Ivan Kalita, founded a white stone church in the name of St. Archangel Michael, whom the Russian people considered the patron saint of warriors. In 1505-1508, a new majestic cathedral was erected on the site of the ancient temple. The construction was led by the Venetian architect Aleviz Novy, invited by the Grand Duke.
From the moment of its foundation until the 18th century, the Archangel Cathedral served as the resting place of Moscow princes and tsars. Tombstones for princes with words of prayers and epitaphs on white stone slabs are located under the arches of the temple in strict order. Tombs of the Rurik dynasty are along the walls of the temple. The tombs of the kings from the Romanov dynasty are located at the southwestern and northwestern pillars. The first Russian Tsar Ivan the Terrible and his two sons were buried in a special royal tomb built in the altar part of the cathedral.
Among the most revered shrines of the Archangel Cathedral were the relics of Saint Prince Michael of Chernigov, who died a martyr in the Golden Horde, and Saint Tsarevich Dmitry, the youngest son of Ivan the Terrible. The remains of the saints were not buried, but were placed in special arks - crayfish, intended for the worship of believers. The reliquary with the relics of Tsarevich Dmitry is installed at the southwestern pillar under a carved stone canopy.
The cathedral was first decorated with frescoes during the reign of Ivan the Terrible. From this ancient painting, only small fragments on the pillars of the temple and several compositions in the altar and the royal tomb have survived. In 1652-1666, the cathedral was painted anew - a large team of Russian craftsmen worked. The work was supervised by the famous royal painter Simon Ushakov.
Among the saints depicted on the pillars of the temple, we see Princess Olga, Grand Duke Vladimir, the baptist of Rus', his sons Boris and Gleb who were martyred, princes Andrei Bogolyubsky, Alexander Nevsky, Daniil of Moscow. A unique feature of the painting of the Archangel Cathedral is the cycle of funerary portraits: in the lower tier above the burials of the Rurik princes their “imaginary” portraits are painted. This “portrait” gallery of historical figures opens with the image of the Grand Duke of Moscow Ivan Kalita and ends with the image of Georgy Vasilyevich, the younger brother of Ivan the Terrible.
The iconostasis of the cathedral, crowned with the Crucifixion, was built during the reign of Fyodor Alekseevich Romanov in 1679-1681. All icons were painted by masters of the Tsar's Armory Chamber. Only in the local, lower row, several ancient icons have been preserved. To the right of the Royal Doors, there is a temple icon of the cathedral - “Archangel Michael in Acts”, created around 1399. According to legend, this icon was painted by order of the widow of Dmitry Donskoy, nun Evdokia, in memory of the Grand Duke and his victory in the Battle of Kulikovo Field.
Michaelmas Day - folk customs of celebrating the Council of the Archangel Michael
In Rus', the Council of the Archangel Michael and other ethereal Heavenly Powers was one of the most joyful holidays. From that day on, the cattle were driven into barns for winter feed. They arranged a wide feast and invited guests to the hut. They baked pies and served them with fresh honey. The festivities could last a whole week - this is how the peasants prepared for the strict Nativity, or Filippov, fast.
A few days before the Council of the Archangel Michael, the priest and the clergy went to the houses of parishioners and served prayer services. The owners, in gratitude, treated them to a loaf of bread or money - from 5 to 15 kopecks from the yard.
Elizaveta Kiktenko
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In the new book of the famous Russian hagiographer Archimandrite Damascene (Orlovsky), the reader is offered the life of Metropolitan Veniamin (Kazan) of Petrograd - one of the first holy martyrs who did not sin with their soul or conscience during the persecution that began and gave their life for Christ and His Church .
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all videos →Cathedral of the Archangel Michael and other ethereal heavenly powers
Holy Angels live in Heaven, in the invisible, spiritual world. There is the eternal Throne of the Most High, which is surrounded by all the Heavenly Powers, illuminated by Him with the non-evening light. Above all the angelic ranks, the Lord placed the holy Archangel Michael, a faithful servant of God, for he cast down from Heaven the proud Dennitsa with other fallen spirits. Since ancient times, Archangel Michael has been glorified for his miracles in Rus'. Representations for Russian cities of the Most Holy Queen of Heaven were always carried out by Her appearances with the Heavenly army, under the leadership of the Archangel. The Archangels are also known from the Holy Scriptures and Holy Tradition: Gabriel - the fortress of God, the herald and servant of Divine omnipotence; Raphael - God's healing, healer of human ailments; Uriel - fire or light of God, enlightener; Selaphiel is God’s prayer book, encouraging prayer; Jehudiel - glorifying God, strengthening those who work for the glory of the Lord and interceding for reward for their exploits; Barachiel is a dispenser of God’s blessing for good deeds, an intercessor asking people for God’s mercy; Jeremiel - exaltation to God.
The bliss of the Angels consists in the sight of God, in the contemplation of His glory. Without going beyond the limits of understanding assigned to them, they stand reverently before the Throne of God and constantly glorify His wondrous Name. Their whole life in relation to God consists of this doxology.
The angels of God, like pure spiritual light, are removed from us when sinful darkness envelops our souls. Just as in the visible world the rays of the sun, with all their brilliance and radiance, do not penetrate the coarsest bodies, so in the invisible world the Angels of God, borrowing their light from the Source of Light Himself, appear only to pure souls. Just as fire is kindled by fire, so the spiritual contact of Angelic light with us becomes perceptible only when the fire of pure love for God and the light of faith kindles in our spirit. They come closer to us as we move closer to God, and they move away from us as we move away from God. And just as for our external well-being it is necessary that some be leaders of others, that the wise admonish the foolish, so for the organization of our internal state it is necessary that the Angels facilitate our procession to God and protect us from the attacks of the spirits of evil.
Human nature, like angelic nature, has reason and will. We have every opportunity to achieve excellence. If a person, fulfilling the command of the Creator, directs his will to good, glorifies the Lord with his whole life, joyfully serves God and people with his whole being, then already in this life he becomes angelic.
Cathedral of the Archangel Michael and other ethereal Heavenly Powers celebrated annually November 21(November 8, old style). This holiday is not one of the holidays, but has always been revered in Rus'. Temples were built in his honor, and cities and villages were also named. The celebration of the Council of the Archangel Michael and other disembodied Heavenly powers was established at the beginning of the 4th century.
Archangel Michael - Chief of the Highest Powers
Name Michael in Hebrew it means " who is like God" Archangel Michael, according to Orthodox teaching, is The head of all ethereal Heavenly Forces. It is called archangel(Greek αρχιστρατηγός - commander-in-chief) and acts as the head of the holy army of angels guarding God's law. Following this tradition, in the Great Menaions Metropolitan Macarius writes:
God set up the preservation of Michael the Archangel as a kind of all-powerful weapon against the power of the devil.” In this image, Michael is revered as the patron and ally of the “militant Church.”
According to Church tradition, reflected in the texts of the festive service, archangel Michael appeared to people many times back in the days of the Old Testament - when the Israelites left Egypt and crossed the Red Sea. He appeared to Joshua and conveyed to him God’s command to take Jericho. Many other cases of the victorious help of Archangel Michael are described in church books.
The names of other Archangels are also known from Holy Scripture and Tradition - apparently, those who carry a special mission in establishing the Kingdom of God on earth:
Archangel Gabriel- evangelist of the mysteries of God;
Archangel Raphael- doctor of diseases and guide;
Archangel Uriel- enlightens people, encourages them to pray;
Archangel Yehudiel- an intercessor on the way, a helper to those in need of something for the glory of God;
Archangel Barachiel- giver of God's graces and guardian of the purity of soul and body;
Archangel Salafiel- a doctor for the disease of malaria and a prayer book to God for people;
Archangel Gefael- igniter of love for God;
Archangel Tahiel- helper and protector in troubles and misfortunes.
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Temples in honor of the Archangel Michael in Rus'
After the Baptism of Rus', the holiday of the Council of Ethereal Powers becomes known to our ancestors. Many temples and monasteries were dedicated to this holiday - Michael's Day. First Cathedral of the Archangel was built in Kyiv immediately after the adoption of Christianity, a monastery was built there.
Subsequently, many cases of miraculous assistance of the Archangel in military affairs were known. IN Volokolamsk Patericon contains a description of the miraculous salvation of Veliky Novgorod from the Tatar army:
Sometimes, by God's permission, it was a sin for our sake, the godless Agaryan king Batu captured and burned the Russian land and went to the New City and God and the Most Pure Mother of God covered it with the appearance of Michael the Archangel, who forbade him to go against it. He went to the Lithuanian cities and came to Kyiv and saw the great Archangel Michael written above the doors of the stone church and said to the prince with his finger: “Forbid me to go to Veliky Novgorod.
It is not surprising that in almost every Russian city there was a temple or chapel dedicated to the feast of the Council of the Archangel Michael and the Ethereal Powers. Perhaps the most famous is the tomb of the Moscow princes. The original wooden Archangel Cathedral was probably built in 1247-1248, during the reign of Mikhail Khorobrit, brother of Alexander Nevsky. Subsequently, it was rebuilt more than once, and the current cathedral building was built in 1505-1508.
There was also the Chudov Monastery in the Kremlin. The main temple of the monastery was consecrated in honor miracle of Archangel Michael in Khoneh(celebrated September 6/19). In 1929-1930 the monastery was destroyed.
In the middle of the 14th century. a wooden one appeared Temple in the name of Archangel Michael in Kolomna. At this time, in the wall of the wooden fortress of Kolomna, between the Marinkina and Faceted towers, there were already passages of the Mikhailovsky Gate, opposite which the Mikhailovskaya (or Arkhangelskaya) settlement was located. After the Time of Troubles, the temple fell into disrepair. In 1700, the stone Church of the Archangel Michael with the chapel of the Three Saints was built. The currently existing stone church of the Archangel Michael received its modern appearance by rebuilding parts of the previous stone church.
It was believed that Archangel Michael is the patron saint of the Russian army. Perhaps that is why, during the founding of Nizhny Novgorod, a strategic fortress at the confluence of the Oka and the Volga, Prince Yuri Vsevolodovich of Vladimir built the first wooden Michael the Archangel Cathedral. Subsequently, it was rebuilt several times. The current cathedral building was built in 1628-1631. in memory of the Nizhny Novgorod militia.
It is also worth mentioning that the banner of the Nizhny Novgorod militia depicts Archangel Michael in military armor and Jesus Navvinus bowing before him.
Birthday city
In the 12th century, Archbishop John of Novgorod founded the St. Michael the Archangel Monastery at the mouth of the Northern Dvina. For a long time it was one of the centers of the Russian North.
In 1548, by order of Tsar Ivan the Terrible, governors Nashchokin and Zaleshanin built a fortress around the monastery in one summer. Initially it was called New Kholmogory. But already in 1596 the new city was named Arkhangelsk, named after the monastery.
Old Believer churches in honor of the Archangel Michael
The tradition of celebrating “Michael’s Day” was also preserved by the Old Believers. In all Old Believer communities there are churches consecrated in the name of this holiday.
Today is the patronal feast day in the communities of the Russian Orthodox Old Believer Church in the city. Perm region, village Kirov region, st. Rostov region, village. Tomsk region, as well as churches under construction in the city (Udmurtia) and the city (Bryansk region). In foreign communities of the Russian Orthodox Church, a temple holiday in the communities of the city (Moldova) and village. Valaya Rodoia, Floresti district (Moldova).
The patronal holiday is celebrated in the communities of the Russian Ancient Orthodox Church in the city and village. Kemerovo region.
Pomeranian communities of Nevel and village. Mikhalkino, Pskov region, Kuznetsk, Penza region, Temir-Tau, Kemerovo region, (Lithuania) also celebrate their patronal holiday today.
Cathedral of the Archangel Michael. Icons
Archangel Michael is often depicted as part of the so-called “angelic deesis”.
Archangel Michael is often depicted with a cane-spear in one hand and a special sphere-mirror (a symbol of foresight transmitted to the Archangel by God) in the other.
On later icons, Archangel Michael can be depicted trampling the devil with his feet, in his left hand, as a winner, holding a green date branch, in his right hand - a spear with a white banner, on which a scarlet cross is inscribed (symbolizing the victory of the Life-giving Cross over the devil) or holding a flaming sword in his hands and shield. Michael can also be presented as the guard of the Heavenly King, dressed in military armor, or riding a horse.
Among the icons dedicated to the Archangel Michael, one can note “The Miracle of the Archangel Michael in Khoneh”, “The Appearance of the Archangel Michael to Joshua” and “The Cathedral of the Archangel Michael”.
At the beginning of the 4th century, several years before the First Ecumenical Council, the Council of Laodicea was convened, at which Orthodox veneration of angels was established.
Angel means “messenger” in Greek. Through them, God conveys his will, they also intercede with the Lord on behalf of people. Some angels have the prefix “archi” in front, which indicates their higher position compared to other angels.
On the day of remembrance of the ethereal forces, the archangels are glorified: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Selaphiel, Yehudiel, Barachiel and Jeremiel.
The most important and famous of them is Archangel Michael.
The angelic ranks have three hierarchies - highest, middle and lowest. There are three ranks in each hierarchy.
Higher hierarchy: Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones.
Flaming and Fiery six-winged Seraphim
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They stand closest to the Holy Trinity and motivate everyone with love for God.
Name Cherubim
(Gen. 3:24) means an outpouring of wisdom and enlightenment. It is through them, to whom the secrets of God are revealed, that enlightenment for true knowledge of God is transmitted.
Thrones
(Col. 1:16), following the Cherubim, carrying God mysteriously and incomprehensibly, serve the justice of God.
The average Angelic hierarchy is the Dominions, Powers and Powers.
Dominations (Col. 1:16) - the rulers of the following orders of Angels. Their role is to instruct the earthly rulers of wisdom appointed by God. Dominations teach mastery of feelings, taming sinful desires and temptations, and control of one’s will.
Powers (1 Pet. 3:22) - doers of God's will. They are given the power to work miracles; they impart the grace of miracles and clairvoyance to the saints of God. Forces help people in their obedience, they help strengthen their faith.
Authorities (1 Pet. 3:22; Col. 1:16) - helpers of people in taming satanic temptations and in the fight against evil thoughts; they confirm ascetics and protect them.
Lower hierarchy— Beginnings, Archangels and Angels.
Beginnings (Col. 1:16) - they have lower angels subordinate to them, whom they direct to fulfill the Divine will. It is they who rule the world, countries, peoples. They began to instruct and teach people to give honor to everyone according to his rank. Of people. Those who are endowed with power are directed to the idea of performing their duties not for personal gain, but for the glory of God and the benefit of people.
Archangels (1 Sol. 4:16) - they are the good news about glorious events, they help to understand the will of God, and with their help the holy faith is strengthened.
Angels
(1 Pet. 3:22) - the closest ethereal forces to people, who instruct us towards holiness and virtue, support people when they fall, and help them get up when they fall. Angels are always with us, they are always ready to help, if we, of course, want this.
WHAT DO THE ARCHANGELS HELP WITH?
Archangels help people in the battle against evil and troubles. By turning to Archangel Michael or other archangels in prayer, you can be sure that it will be heard.
Archangel Michael is revered as the patron saint of warriors. He is the protector of Christians from various evils and the actions of evil spirits. Prayers to the Archangel promote healing from illnesses; they pray to him during the construction and consecration of a house. Archangel Michael is a reliable protector in a dream, and also protects the souls of the dead on the way to the Throne.
You can pray to him in absolutely all everyday issues, if the prayer is sincere, help will definitely come.
The morning and evening prayer rules include prayers to the angel. They, of course, need to be read daily. But besides reading, first of all, you need to eliminate guile, theft, laziness, anger and other serious sins from your life. Start correcting your life yourself, then it will be much easier for the angels and saints to help you in your prayers.
It must be remembered that icons or saints do not “specialize” in any specific areas. It will be right when a person turns with faith in the power of God, and not in the power of this icon, this saint or prayer.
And .
COUNCIL OF ARCHANGELS LEADERSHED BY THE ARCHISTRATIUS MICHAEL
On November 21 (8th Old Style), the Orthodox Church established the holiday of glorification of the archangels Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Selafiel, Yehudiel, Barachiel and Jeremiel.
On the icons the Archangels are depicted in accordance with the type of their ministry:
archangel Michael— “Who is like God” is the translation from the Hebrew of this name.
Much has been written about this holy angel in both the Old and New Testaments. He is considered a “prince,” “leader of the Lord’s army,” the main fighter against the devil and his wiles.
After the uprising of the fallen angels led by Satan, the Archangel Michael was the first to enter into battle with them, and from that time on he received the title of “archangel” - senior warrior.
“And there was war in Heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought against them, but they did not stand, and no place was found for them in Heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, the ancient serpent, called the devil and Satan.”
The Apostle Jude briefly mentions the Archangel Michael as an adversary of the devil. (Josh. 5, 13; Dan. 10; 12, 1; Jude 9; Rev. 12, 7-9; Luke 10, 18).
The Church reveres Archangel Michael as a defender of the faith and a fighter against heresies and all evil. On icons he is depicted with a fiery sword in his hand, or with a spear casting down the devil.
Archangel Gabriel. In Hebrew it means the man of God, and in Russian it is the Fortress of God or the Power of God. One of the highest angels appears in the Old and New Testaments as the bearer of joyful tidings. He announces to the priest Zechariah in the temple about the birth of John the Baptist, to the Ever-Virgin in Nazareth - about the birth of the Savior of the world. According to the Bible, he is considered the guardian angel of the chosen people. On icons he is depicted with a branch of paradise, which he brought to the Blessed Virgin, or with a luminous lantern in his right hand and a jasper mirror in his left.
Archangel Raphael- in Aramaic means the Healing of God or the Healing of God. He is a healer of human ailments.
In the “Book of Tobit” of the Holy Scriptures, it is described how the Archangel Raphael, in the form of a young man, helped the righteous Tobiah, he protected him from misfortunes on the way, freed Sarah, the daughter of Raguel, from the evil spirit of Asmodeus, gave her as a wife to Tobias, the son of Tobit, took her off thorn in Tobit (Tov.3, 16-17; 5,4-6; 6,8-9; 7,2-3; 11, 6-7, 10-13; 12, 6-7; 14, 15, 18). With the help of the fish that Tobias caught in the Tigris River, evil spirits were driven out, and with its bile Tobias, on the advice of Raphael, restored his father’s sight.
On the icon, Saint Archangel Raphael, the physician of human ailments, is depicted holding in his left hand a vessel (alavaster) with medicinal means (medicine), and in his right hand a pod, that is, a clipped bird feather for anointing wounds.”
Archangel Uriel - fire or light of God, enlightener. According to the Tradition of the Orthodox Christian Church, the Holy Archangel Uriel was appointed by God to guard Paradise after the Fall and the expulsion of Adam. According to the teachings of the Holy Fathers, Archangel Uriel, being the radiance of the divine fire, is the enlightener of the darkened, unbelievers and ignoramuses. And the very name of the Archangel, corresponding to his special ministry, means the Fire of God or the Light of God.
Archangel Uriel was sent by the Lord to Ezra (3 Ezra 4, 1-50; 5) and predicted that the Savior would soon come to the people. This was about 500 years before the birth of Christ.
According to the iconographic canon of the Orthodox Church, Saint Archangel Uriel is depicted holding a naked sword in his right hand against his chest, and a fiery flame in his left.
Archangel Selaphiel- God's prayer book encouraging people to pray. In the icon, the Holy Archangel Salafiel, a man of prayer who always prays to God for people and incites people to prayer, is depicted with his face and eyes bowed (lowered) down, and his hands pressed (folded) with a cross on his chest, as if tenderly praying. He shows us an example of how to pray to the Lord God correctly.
“And so the Lord gave us a whole host of prayer angels, with their leader Salafiel,” writes Bishop Innocent of Kherson, “so that with the pure breath of their lips they would warm our cold hearts to prayer, so that they would admonish us when and how to pray, so that they would offer our very offerings to the throne of grace. When you see, brethren, on the icon the Archangel standing in a position of prayer, with his eyes downcast, with his hands reverently placed on his chest (chest), then know that this is Salafiel.” (Cit. cit., pp. 11-12).
Archangel Yehudiel - translated into Russian, his name means the Glorifier of God or the Praise of God. He really, as the inscription on the fresco of the Annunciation Cathedral says, “has the ministry of establishing people who work in something, for the glory of God, to intercede for them reward.” Archangel Jehudiel is considered the patron saint of monastics and, in general, of all who work for the glory of God. He is an intercessor and assistant for these people in their affairs.
The Holy Tradition indicates that the Holy Archangel Jehudiel is one of the seven Archangels, who, according to the Command of God, patronized the Israelites on their journey during their 40-year wandering, and the name Jehudiel is also given to that Angel who preceded the Israelites in a pillar of fire and cloud upon their exit from Egypt, protecting them from pursuers (Exodus 14:19-20).
God sent the archangel Jehudiel to help Moses and his people: “Behold, I am sending My angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared for you; watch yourself before His face and listen to His voice; do not persist against Him, for He will not forgive your sin, for My name is in Him” (Ex. 23:20-21)
The Archangel of God Jehudiel is depicted holding a golden crown in his right hand, as a reward from God for useful and pious works to holy people, and in his left hand a scourge of three black ropes with three ends, as a punishment for sinners for laziness in pious works.
Archangel Jeremiel - The name of the Holy Archangel Jeremiel means in Russian the Height of God or the Exaltation of God. He is sent from above from God to man in order to promote the elevation and return of man to God. The Archangel of God not only reveals the gloomy prospect of the sinful world, they say, the further, the worse, but also helps to see the holy seeds of eternal life in a dying world. (see John 12:24). He is depicted holding scales in his right hand.
SOME MIRACLES OF THE ARCHANGEL MICHAEL
Description of some miracles associated with the name of Archangel Michael:
Miracle in Khoneh
According to legend, near Hierapolis, which is located in Phrygia, there was a spring, with the waters of which the daughter of one of the inhabitants was healed of dumbness.
At night, the Archangel Michael himself appeared to the father of this girl and said that his daughter needed to drink water from the source and she would be able to speak. And so it happened - the girl drank the water and regained her speech. Seeing such a miracle, the whole family of this man was baptized (before that they were not Christians) and, in gratitude to such a miracle of God, the happy father built a temple near the source in honor of the Holy Archangel Michael.
After this, many healings occurred from the source not only of Christians, but also of pagans, who, thanks to such miracles, were baptized and converted to the faith of Christ.
During the times of Christian persecution, the Monk Archippus of Herotopus served at this temple for 60 years. He was a good preacher and greatly irritated the pagan rulers with his pious life. According to his works, many pagans converted to Christianity.
To destroy the church and destroy Archippus, the pagans connected two rivers and directed the water towards the temple. But through the prayers of Saint Archippus, Archangel Michael came to their aid, who hit the mountain with his staff, a large gap formed in it, where streams of water went. The temple was saved.
This miracle was called the “Miracle of Khoneh.” Khona – means “hole”, “cleft”.
Plague in Rome
During the plague in Rome in 590, Pope Gregory the Great held a prayer service and during the procession he saw the Holy Archangel Michael at the top of the Mausoleum of Hadrian, who sheathed his sword, symbolizing the end of the battle with the scourge. After this, the epidemic began to recede.
A statue of the Archangel Michael was placed on top of this mausoleum, and in the tenth century this mausoleum became the Castle of the Holy Angel.
Rescue of Sipontus, an Italian city from a siege by Germanic tribes in 630. By the will of God and the help of Archangel Michael, a terrible thunder began, and a fiery cloud formed, in which lightning flashed. This cloud rushed towards the attackers, who fled from it.
Saving Novgorod from the invasion of Khan Batu in 1239 occurred due to the fact that Archangel Michael appeared to the khan and forbade him to fight with Novgorod.
Joan of Arc Archangel Michael has been his patron since childhood. It was with his help that the British were defeated at Orleans. Without the help of the archangel and other heavenly forces, the troops of the Maid of Orleans could not have won this victory.
Many descriptions have been preserved that the Archangel Michael provided assistance to the inhabitants of the Aegean coast during pirate times. Only prayers to the holy military leader helped people avoid the fate of being killed, robbed or driven into slavery.
GREATNESS
We magnify you, Archangels, and Angels and all the Hosts, Cherubim and Seraphim, glorifying the Lord.
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