The
Synaxis of the Chief of the Heavenly Hosts, Archangel Michael and the Other
Heavenly Bodiless Powers: Archangels Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Selaphiel,
Jehudiel, Barachiel, and Jeremiel was established at the beginning of the
fourth century at the Council of Laodicea, which met several years before the
First Ecumenical Council. The 35th Canon of the Council of Laodicea condemned
and denounced as heretical the worship of angels as gods and rulers of the
world, but affirmed their proper veneration.
A
Feastday was established in November, the ninth month after March (with which
the year began in ancient times) since there are Nine Ranks of Angels. The
eighth day of the month was chosen for the Synaxis of all the Bodiless Powers
of Heaven since the Day of the Dread Last Judgment is called the Eighth Day by
the holy Fathers. After the end of this age (characterized by its seven days of
Creation) will come the Eighth Day, and then “the Son of Man shall come in His
Glory and all the holy Angels with Him” (Mt. 25:31).
The
Angelic Ranks are divided into three Hierarchies: highest, middle, and lowest.
The
Highest Hierarchy includes: the Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones.
The six-winged SERAPHIM (Flaming, Fiery) (Is
6:12) stand closest of all to the Most Holy Trinity. They blaze with love for
God and kindle such love in others.
The many-eyed CHERUBIM (outpouring of wisdom,
enlightenment) (Gen 3:24) stand before the Lord after the Seraphim. They are
radiant with the light of knowledge of God, and knowledge of the mysteries of
God. Through them wisdom is poured forth, and people’s minds are enlightened so
they may know God and behold His glory.
The THRONES (Col 1:16) stand after the
Cherubim, mysteriously and incomprehensibly bearing God through the grace given
them for their service. They are ministers of God’s justice, giving to
tribunals, kings, etc. the capacity for righteous judgment.
The
Middle Angelic Hierarchy consists of three Ranks: Dominions, Powers, and
Authorities:
DOMINIONS (Col 1:16) hold dominion over the
angels subject to them. They instruct the earthly authorities, established by
God, to rule wisely, and to govern their lands well. The Dominions teach us to
subdue sinful impulses, to subject the flesh to the spirit, to master our will,
and to conquer temptation.
POWERS (1 Pet 3:22) fulfill the will of God
without hesitation. They work great miracles and give the grace of
wonderworking and clairvoyance to saints pleasing to God. The Powers assist
people in fulfilling obediences. They also encourage them to be patient, and
give them spiritual strength and fortitude.
AUTHORITIES (1 Pet 3:22, Col 1:16) have
authority over the devil. They protect people from demonic temptations, and
prevent demons from harming people as they would wish. They also uphold
ascetics and guard them, helping people in the struggle with evil thoughts.
The
Lowest Hierarchy includes the three Ranks: Principalities, Archangels, and
Angels:
PRINCIPALITIES (Col 1:16) have command over
the lower angels, instructing them in the fulfilling of God’s commands. They
watch over the world and protect lands, nations and peoples. Principalities
instruct people to render proper honor to those in authority, as befits their
station. They teach those in authority to use their position, not for personal
glory and gain, but to honor God, and to spread word of Him, for the benefit of
those under them.
ARCHANGELS (1 Thess 4:16) are messengers of
great and wondrous tidings. They reveal prophecies and the mysteries of the
faith. They enlighten people to know and understand the will of God, they
spread faith in God among the people, illuminating their minds with the light
of the Holy Gospel.
ANGELS (1 Pet 3:22) are in the lowest rank of
the heavenly hierarchy, and closest to people. They reveal the lesser mysteries
of God and His intentions, guiding people to virtuous and holy life. They
support those who remain steadfast, and they raise up the fallen. They never
abandon us and they are always prepared to help us, if we desire it.
All the
Ranks of the Heavenly Powers are called angels, although each has its own name
and position by virtue of their service. The Lord reveals His will to the
highest ranks of the angels, and they in turn inform the others.
Over all
the Nine Ranks, the Lord appointed the Holy Archangel Michael (his name in
Hebrew means “who is like unto God”), the faithful servitor of God, as Chief
Commander. He cast down from Heaven the arrogantly proud Lucifer and the other
fallen spirits when they rebelled against God. Michael summoned the ranks of
angels and cried out, “Let us attend! Let us stand aright before our Creator
and do not consider doing what is displeasing unto God!”
According
to Church Tradition, and in the church services to the Archangel Michael, he
participated in many other Old Testament events.
During
the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt he went before them in the form of a
pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Through him the power of
the Lord was made manifest, annihilating the Egyptians and Pharaoh who were in
pursuit of the Israelites. The Archangel Michael defended Israel in all its
misfortunes.
He
appeared to Joshua Son of Navi and revealed the will of the Lord at the taking
of Jericho (Josh 5:13-16). The power of the great Chief Commander of God was
manifest in the annihilation of the 185,000 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).
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 Saint
Neophytus of Docheiariou (November 9).
From
ancient times the Archangel Michael was famed for his miracles in Rus. In the
Volokolamsk Paterikon is a narrative of Saint Paphnutius of Borov with an
account of Tatar tax-gatherers concerning the miraculous saving of Novgorod the
Great: “Therefore Great Novgorod was never taken by the Hagarenes... when...
for our sins the godless Hagarene emperor Batu devoured and set the Russian
land aflame and came to Novgorod, and God and the Most Holy Theotokos shielded
it with an appearance of Michael the Archangel, who forbade him to enter into
it. He [Batu] was come to the Lithuanian city and came toward Kiev and saw the
stone church, over the doors of which the great Archangel Michael had written
and spoken to the prince his allotted fate, ‘By this we have forbidden you
entry into Great Novgorod’.”
Intercession
for Russian cities by the Most Holy Queen of Heaven always involved Her
appearances with the Heavenly Hosts, under the leadership of the Archangel
Michael. Grateful Rus acclaimed the Most Pure Mother of God and the Archangel
Michael in church hymns. Many monasteries, cathedrals, court and merchant
churches are dedicated to the Chief Commander Michael.
In old
Kiev at the time of the accepting of Christianity, a cathedral of the Archangel
was built, and a monastery also was named for him. Archangel cathedrals are
found at Smolensk, Nizhni Novgorod, Staritsa, at Great Ustiug (beginning of the
thirteenth century), and a cathedral at Sviyazhsk. In Rus there was not a city
where there was not a church or chapel dedicated to the Archangel Michael.
One of
the chief temples of the city of Moscow, the burial church in the Kremlin, is
dedicated to him. Numerous and beautiful icons of the Chief Commander of the
Heavenly Hosts are also in his Cathedral. One of these, the Icon “Blessed
Soldiery,” was painted in the Dormition Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin. The
saintly soldiers, Russian princes, are depicted under the leadership of the
Archangel Michael.
We invoke
Saint Michael for protection from invasion by enemies and from civil war, and
for the defeat of adversaries on the field of battle. He conquers all spiritual
enemies.
Holy
Scripture and Tradition give us the names of the Archangels:
Gabriel: strength (power) of God, herald and
servitor of Divine omnipotence (Dan 8:16, Luke 1:26). He announces the
mysteries of God.
Raphael: the healing of God, the curer of
human infirmities (Tobit 3:16, 12:15)
Uriel: the fire or light of God, enlightener
(3 Ezdras 5:20). We pray for him to enlighten those with darkened minds.
Selaphiel: the prayer of God, impelling to
prayer (3 Ezdras 5:16). He prays to God for mankind.
Jehudiel: the glorifying of God, encouraging
exertion for the glory of the Lord and interceding for the reward of efforts.
Barachiel: distributor of the blessings of
God for good deeds, entreats the mercy of God for people.
Jeremiel: the raising up to God (3 Ezdras
4:36)
On icons
the Archangels are depicted in according to the character of their service:
Michael tramples the devil underfoot, and in
his left hand holds a green date-tree branch, and in his right hand a spear
with a white banner on which is outlined a scarlet cross, or sometimes a fiery
sword.
Gabriel with a branch from Paradise,
presented by him to the Most Holy Virgin, or with a shining lantern in his
right hand and with a mirror made of jasper in his left.
Raphael holds a vessel with healing
medications in his left hand, and with his right hand leads Tobias, carrying a
fish for healing (Tobit 5-8).
Uriel in his raised right hand holds a naked
sword at the level of his chest, and in his lowered left hand “a fiery flame.”
Selaphiel in a prayerful posture, gazing
downwards, hands folded on the chest.
Jehudiel holds a golden crown in his right
hand, in his left, a whip of three red (or black) thongs.
Barachiel is shown with a white rose on his
breast.
Jeremiel holds balance-scales in his hand.
Each
person has a guardian angel, and every nation also receives its own guardian
angel from God (Dan. 10:13). When a church is consecrated, it also receives a
guardian angel (Palladius, Dial. Ch. 10).
Source: https://oca.org/saints/lives/2017/11/08/103244-synaxis-of-the-archangel-michael-and-the-other-bodiless-powers
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