The Catalog of Good Deeds

Two monks came to Abba Joseph wanting to know whether they should greet their visitors with joy or refrain from expressing it. Hardly did they start asking that question when he turned and retreated into his cell. He put on sackcloth and appeared to them wearing it, all the while not uttering a single word.

Then he put on good clothes he had worn on holidays and appeared to them. Finally, he put on his usual clothes and sat with them.

The monks were looking at him in surprise, unable to understand anything of what he had shown to them. He asked:

— Have you noticed what I’ve just done?

— Yes, — they replied.

— Well then, — Joseph added, — have you noticed any change in my personality, too? Did I become a worse person when I put on dirty rags? Did I become a better person when I put on better clothes?

— Of course not!

— Therefore, remember that there isn’t any creature, including human beings, capable of changing anything in our inner world. Greet the brothers who come to visit you with joy and innocence and Christian love. If no one visits you, keep your spirit concentrated.

Long time ago, a Christian lady found herself on an uninhabited island, where she spent forty years praying and fasting and tolerating various afflictions. Finally, a ship rescued her, and she managed to return home.

The woman came to a renowned ascetic and told him about her feats.

The elder listened to her attentively and then asked:

— Can you accept maledictions from people as benedictions?

— No Father, — the Christian lady replied shamefully.

— So you haven’t learned anything during the forty years you spent practising asceticism, — the elder concluded.

A layman decided to ask Elder Paisius the Athonite about his temptation. When he met his friends, who were proud, he felt obliged to behave like they did. However hard he tried, he could not break free from this habit. While he was thinking how to put this question into words, a pilgrim brought the elder a big watermelon. Elder Paisius took the watermelon and said:

— You have brought me this watermelon so please give me your knife to cut it, and I will tell you the truth about how watermelons became so delicious.

The pilgrim gave him a knife, and the elder cut the watermelon and gave a piece to each visitor. When it was the layman’s turn to receive a piece of the watermelon, he felt that what he was about to hear would be related to the problem that he had. The elder looked at him calmly and smiled:

— If we grow a watermelon and a pumpkin together, the pumpkin will take all sweetness away from the watermelon, and the watermelon will become dull and not sweet, whereas the pumpkin, regardless of how much sweetness it receives, will always remain a pumpkin. This is why, if we want a sweet and tasty watermelon, we should keep it away from pumpkin.

The answer that the elder gave to the pilgrim was excellent: it made him realise that he had to be careful in choosing his friends.

A woman came to an elder with her little son.

— My son seems to be cursed, — she said. — He eats dates all day. Just sweet dates and nothing else. What do I do?

The elder looked at the boy and replied:

— Oh dear lady, go home with your son. Come to me tomorrow, and I will help you.

On the following day, the elder took the boy onto his lap, took a date out of the boy’s hand and said:

— My son, remember that there are other tasty things in this world, too.

He blessed the child and handed him over to his mother.

The mother was puzzled and asked the elder:

— Why didn’t you say it yesterday? Why did we have to endure a long journey like this?

— Oh dear lady, — the elder replied. — I could not tell that to your son convincingly enough because I had enjoyed some dates yesterday.

The meaning of this parable is simple: start with yourself. Any advice that you give is powerful only when you confirm it with your own life.

There was a merchant who went to a distant land and came to a strange town where all inhabitants wore chains. The merchant thought to himself, “What if they make me wear chains, too? What do I do?” All of a sudden, several guards appeared in front of him and, seeing that he was free, handcuffed him and put chains around his ankles immediately. Unable to return home, the merchant was dismayed. He started asking the unlucky residents of the town why they wore chains, and they replied that that was a long tradition in their town. The merchant asked, “Are all residents of the town doomed to wear chains all their lives?” The people replied, “It is believed that an old man comes to the town once in a while. He is free and does not wear chains. He is the only person who knows how to get rid of them. He appears so seldom that many people doubt that this story is true.” “I see no way out,” the merchant thought, “except waiting for that old man and learning how to break free.”

Many years later, the merchant was old and white-haired. One day he suddenly met an old man freely walking down the street without chains or handcuffs.

— Sir, — the poor prisoner exclaimed, — help me to get free from these chains please.

— My son, — the old man advised, — just say to yourself, “I want the guards to release me,” and you’ll be free.

The merchant thought that it was a bad and bitter joke but he decided to give it a try and uttered these words. Guards immediately appeared to him and released him.

The merchant hurried away from that strange town in surprise. When he left its gates, he saw the same old man again.

— Please tell me sir, — the merchant urged, — what is the secret of this strange town?

— This town is a special place where people become prisoners and get released just by thinking about it. You got saved because you believed me. Those who don’t believe me, remain in this town forever, and I cannot help them anymore.

If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:31-32).

There were two brothers who had many children. They taught their children to be diligent. One of the brothers told the children of the other brother one day, “Your father knows a special day, which, if you spend it working, will make you rich forever, and you will be able to quit work from then on. I learned it from my own experience but I’ve forgotten what day it is. So you can go to your father, he’ll tell you about that day.” The children happily went to their father and asked him about that day. The father replied, “I’ve forgotten what day it is, too; but you can work for one full year, and you will definitely figure out what day it is.” The children spent the entire year working but they did not find that day, so they informed their father about it. The father thanked them for their hard work and said, “That’s what you can do: divide the year into four parts — spring, summer, fall, and winter — and work hard during these seasons, and you’ll find that day.” The children agreed but after they spent another year working they complained, “We haven’t found the day that you were telling us about. Given that we’re tired and prosperous enough, we won’t work any longer.” The father’s response was, “The day that I was talking about was the day of your death. It will come when we don’t think about it at all. That’s why you should keep working for the salvation of your souls throughout your lives, day and night, and be ready to die any day.”

There were two friends who lived in an Arabic country. They would meet at a fireplace every evening and talk sitting on small three-legged chairs. In the meantime, one of them became a sheikh. He moved to a marble palace and acquired a high throne made of mother-of-pearl. Many people came to honor the new ruler.

His old friend came to him, too. He was eager to congratulate the new sheikh but the proud sheikh did not want to receive him immediately and made him stand by the door of the palace for many days. Finally, the sheikh ordered his servants to let his friend come in. The friend entered the palace humbly. The sheikh sat at the throne with his limbs stretched out. His friend understood what it meant, and so he started looking around as if he was looking for the sheikh. The sheikh was furious. He asked his old friend what he was looking for.

— I’m looking for you, o human being, where are you? — the friend replied and added sorrowfully, — While you were sitting on a small chair, one did not see the chair because of the human who sat in it, and now, you see, one can’t find the human because of the throne.

There was a monk who asked Abba Poemen for instructions. The elder replied, “As long as a cauldron is heated by fire, neither a fly nor a serpent can touch it. As soon as it cools down, all pests can sit on it freely. This is how it happens with humans, too: as long as they persevere in doing spiritually nurturing things, the enemy can’t succeed in defeating them!”

Translated from: https://azbyka.ru/days/

Guidelines for parents with young children in the parish. Reprinted from a 1999 CrossRoads, written by Kh. Frederica.

Father Gregory and the Sisterhood, as well as individual parishioners and parents, have been chatting about what standards of behavior we want children to meet in church. In one way it’s harder having no pews; to a child, that expanse of carpet looks a lot like the space in front of the TV at home.

But this is a sacred place, a place at which we are constantly told to “Attend!”, and these are skills children need to learn. Every child is moving toward being able to stand throughout the service, behaving reverently and attentively. Let’s do our best to discourage any behavior that leads in another direction.

Father and I brainstormed some suggestions the other night to be used as guidelines according to your child’s age and capabilities:

1. Stand on the carpet, sit in a chair or sit quietly (perhaps at an adult’s feet) on the carpet. Do not lie on the carpet at any time (except for babies). Sleepy children can be held in the arms of a parent until they fall asleep. When they are asleep, they can be placed on the floor (preferably facing the altar).

2. Toes toward the altar. Teach the child to keep his or her toes pointed toward the altar at all times. Always face the altar, never turn your back on it (even when facing the procession during the Great Entrance, turn back counterclockwise rather than turn directly toward the back.) No large muscle motions — a child standing and facing the altar should not be waving arms, swiveling, etc.

3. Stay in one place. A child should “stake out” an area and stick to it, and not move around the church. Exception: there is an age during which wiggly babies demand to be put on the floor, and once there take off crawling rapidly. You pick them up and the cycle immediately begins again. This phase doesn’t last too long, so we should be patient with these little explorers. If a baby crawls by you, pick him up, maybe even hold him and help him focus on the service before returning him to his parents.

4. Help other out. In general, adults not caring for their own children should help our swamped young parents watch over their kids. In many cases, these parents are outnumbered by their kids! If you feel drawn to a particular child, ask her parents if you can help them mind her during church.

5. Noise, noise, noise. Each parent needs to determine at what point their child has become too noisy. Occasional noise is fine, but continual noise can be very distracting. Some parents have found that taking the child out for making noise results in more noise because the child wants a change of scenery, or wants to play with toys. Some children also view this time alone with Mom as a victory. If any of these scenarios become a problem, the child could be taken out by Dad or an adult “helper.”

6. Refrain from playing and talking. Children should not play with each other or talk to each other. Adults bending down to explain the service to children is fine, and may help them not be bored. The bookstore has a couple of good child- level guides to the church and the liturgy. Aim to convey to your children that church is a place you want to be because you find love and joy there, and you want them to share in these good things.

7. No food in church, though bottles and sippy-cups are OK when necessary for babies and toddlers. At some point children need to begin fasting before communion, like adults do.

8. Toys should be kept to an absolute minimum — a necessary favorite teddy bear is one thing, dressing up Barbies is another. If toys are brought into the service, they should be selected for their “quiet” qualities — i.e they don’t make noise when dropped and they don’t encourage the child to supply noises for them. Especially beware of provoking resentment in children whose parents don’t allow them to play in church, or undermining their discipline. “So and so does it, why can’t I?”

9. Think of those around you. Remember that behavior that doesn’t seem distracting to you could be distracting to the people behind you — particularly the choir, which has a birds-eye view of everything anyone does.

The key to success in all this is practice at home. Have an evening prayer time at your icon corner where children learn to stand and be quiet and reverent. Explain that your home icon corner is like a “branch” from the main altar at church, and that that altar deserves even more respect. There are relics embedded in the wooden cross under our altar, and it has been consecrated by our Bishop, who told us that an angel stands there constantly in worship. Adults, as well as children, need to treat the church and especially the altar area with great respect.

Children will object to these expectations, but they learn to do many things they don’t want to because parents insist on them: brushing teeth, having a regular bedtime, not eating cookies before dinner. When parents have a firm reverence for the church and insist on these standards, children will meet them.

Source: https://www.holycrossonline.org/church-etiquette-for-kids/

The prototype of the Athonite icon of the Most-Holy Theotokos "She Who Is Quick To Hear" (a copy of which is honored in the monastery church of St. Tikhon's Monastery)' is hung in a niche on the outside of the walls of the Athonite monastery of Dochiariou, in front of what used to be the monastery refectory. According to Athonite tradition, the icon was "written" during the lifetime of St. Neophytos, founder of the Monastery, who lived in the tenth century.

The first testimony to the miracleworking powers of this icon was revealed in an incident that took place near the refectory of the monastery. Before the icon was a passageway, through which the fathers generally passed on their way to the Refectory. The steward also passed that way in the performance of his duties, not only by day, but also by night. Sometimes, in the night, he would pass before this icon while carrying a burning torch. Once, in I664,this steward, Nilos, while passing by as usual, with the torch giving off soot, heard a voice coming from the icon, which said, "In the future, do not come here with a lighted torch and do not blacken my Image with soot."

At first, Nilos was afraid of these words; but then, telling himself that one or another of the brothers had spoken to him, he wentback quickly to his cell, passing on as before. A voice came to him a second time from the icon, saying, "Monk, unworthy of this name! Will you go on much longer carelessly and shamelessly blackening my Image?" At these words, the Steward went blind, and then only did he understand whose words these were; and, sincerely confessing his sin, he deemed himself worthy of such punishment for his inattention to the words of the Most Holy Virgin Theotokos. The brothers of the Monastery learned what had happened, and consequently they placed a sanctuary lamp before the icon, and had it censed every night, while praying diligently that Nilos might receive back his sight. Day, and night he prayed fervently and wept before the countenance of the Divine Mary, the Mother of our Lord. With sincere tears of repentance he entreated forgiveness for his inattentiveness toward her voice and that he might be healed' And she, as the Good Protectress, did not disdain the prayers of the blind man.

One day, while he was praying and weeping before the holy icon, he heard a voice: "Nilos! Your prayer has been heard. I forgive you and shall give back sight to your eyes. When you have received this mercy from me, announce to the brothers that I am their Protectress, the Guardian and Defender of this Monastery dedicated to the Archangels. Let them and all Orthodox Christians come to Me in necessities, and I will forsake not one of them. For to all who have recourse to me in veneration, I will be their Advocate, and all their petitions will be fulfilled by my Son and God, for the sake of my mediation before Him, for which reason My icon shall be called "She Who Is Quick To Hear;" for I shall speedily show mercy and fulfill the petitions of all who hasten to it." Following these joyful words, Nilos received back his sight. Report of this miracle swiftly spread throughout the Holy Mountain and many monks, desiring to be eyewitnesses of this miraculous event which had been taken place in their time, came to the Monastery, where, with reverence, they prostrated themselves before the image of the Mother of God, and with amazement, saw the Steward who had been suddenly struck blind and then received back his sight. In the meantime, the brothers of the Monastery, by general consent, having prayed with sincerity and reverence to the Mother of God, closed up the passageway to the refectory. And having decorously enclosed the place where the holy icon was situated, to its right they erected a beautiful church in the name of the Most Holy Theotokos "She Who Is Quick To Hear."

After this, Moliebens (services of thanksgiving) were said every day, morning and evening, before her holy icon. In addition, there began the practice in which, Tuesday and Thursday evenings, after the dismissal of Vespers, a Priest, (assigned by rotation) would celebrate a special Service in the main Monastery Church, after which all the fathers and brothers, would proceed in order to the Wonderworking icon and sing a Canon of Thanksgiving to the Mother of God.' The Priest would pray for all Orthodox Christians and for peace for the whole world. Since then, many miracles have been performed in connection with this holy icon: the blind have received their sight, the lame have walked, men have been rescued from imprisonment and shipwreck. Thus the Most Holy Theotokos fulfills the petitions of all Orthodox Christians that have recourse to her in faith, reverence, and with a contrite heart.

This present Icon in the Monastery Church of St. Tikhon of Zadonsk is an exact copy of the original Icon and was presented as a gift by the Fathers and Brothers of the Monastery of Dochiariou to the Monastery of St. Tikhon of Zadonsk at its founding. It is the beloved treasure of the Monastery and has worked many miracles and provides consolation for all who hasten to the Theotokos in faith and love. "...For Thou dost ever protects those who honor Thee." (Kontakion to the Theotokos.)

Source: http://www.sttikhonsmonastery.org/stm11.html

I arise from my deep slumber, my feet standing upon a rough, rocky surface. Before me lays an ocean that stretches as far as eye can see. But the ocean does not glow with the colorful light dancing about in the sky above me, nor does it reflect a deep blue or green. Instead, it seethes in blackness, and consumes the light that would have otherwise played upon its surface.

Something is amiss about this water, so I step forward for a closer inspection only to leap back to where I stood before. What lay before me is not an ocean of water, but rather an abyss of vermin and foul creatures crawling upon one another. Behind me is no sure footing, it seems the rough rocky surface upon which I stand is the only place left in this love-forsaken world.

Suddenly, an angel stands at my right side. “Where am I?” I plead.

“The place you would not understand,” he replies with solemn countenance.

“What is this terrible ocean that surrounds me?” I ask fearfully.

“This endless, abysmal sea,” he says while extending his hand about us, “is filled with the sins of your entire life, from youth to old age.”

“Certainly I could not have sinned that much!” I protest, not because I think him a liar, but because of the fearful truth in his words.

weeping_angel_by_atlantisvampir“How many thoughts run through a man’s head in even one hour and how many hours did you live?” he asks. He continues his questions, though not in an accusatory manner, “How many thoughts did you dwell on that were self-glorifying, selfish, greedy, impure, impatient, judgmental, critical, self-pitying, self-justifying, angry, jealous, bitter, fearful of others, vain, proud, unloving, unsacrificial, and unkind to name only a few? How many times have you spoken carelessly, feared the opinion of others, turned away a beggar, performed good only to be recognized, and lacked compassion for your fellow human made in the image of God?” he asks as one sharing my horror at the realization of what I have done with my entire life. The fearful expression upon his face only frightens me more.

“My abyss stretches beyond what my eye can see,” I whisper as I collapse on the rock in tears. “Who will save me from this death?”

A sound catches my ear and lifts my head. It is a wiry man, whistling as he approaches us from my left. His head is mostly bald except a few nasty hairs that bravely cling to his scaly scalp. He approaches with an arrogant, crooked, toothless smile.

“You gaze upon this foul ocean with your eyes, my boy,” he says to me, “but its true location is in your heart. This filth surrounding us is merely a reflection. Now you see, my job is to take what belongs to my master, and seeing you are filled with his treachery, you belong to me.”

Grasping my shoulder roughly, he is suddenly stopped by the angel on my right. “No!” cries the angel, “there is some of my Master within him as well.” Reaching into my heart, the angel pulls out a handful of the most beautiful jewels. They sparkle with color beyond a rainbow, and light beyond the sun. The glow stuns my accuser.

Flinching, the wiry man releases my shoulder, but quickly recomposes himself and sets forth a challenge: “Cast them into the sea and we will find which one prevails,” he demands with a chuckle.

The angel lifts them high, whispering a prayer, and casts them into the abyss. An explosion of light occurs, foul vermin begin screaming as they are burned. Thousands of them shrivel into nothing, and, for a moment, a great opening is created in the abyss before us. However, the opening is soon filled with the overflow of vermin around it, and within minutes it appears as if nothing had ever been done.

“Surely there is more than that!” I cry to the angel.

Sadly shaking his head, he replies, “Only that which was done without pride and without any other passion-derived motive can be used. What I collected from your heart is all that was pure.”

“But there was hardly a thing!” I protest.

“Ha! You see, he is mine” cries the devil to my left, leaping with foul happiness.

Once again though, the angel keeps him from taking me with a defense, “His works are nothing compared to his sins, but he went to confession and partook of the Eucharist frequently. Those sins, as you know, that are confessed and not hidden can never be used against him, numerous or horrendous though they be.”

Not willing to give up easily, my accuser points his crooked finger at me while asking the angel, “Ah, but did he make a good confession or did he hide certain thoughts or deeds in shame and embarrassment?”

After gazing at one another intently, they both slowly turn to look toward me. Immediately, I can see and remember every one of my confessions.

Stunned, I open my mouth to reply…

Footnotes:

The parable ends there.

There is no conclusion because as long as I am alive it is not finished.

The purpose of every parable is to make a particular point; in this parable, my point is obviously that we should not conceal our sins during confession. I wrote the above after reading through Elder Ephraim’s teaching on confession in the beautifully formatted book The Art of Salvation.

In every story, parable, or teaching that details the “other world,” we are stuck with crude images that are incapable of expressing the depth that is beyond words. In addition to that, I am not an accomplished writer. I pray you forgive me my omissions and errors.

Source: http://www.orthodoxroad.com/the-sea-of-darkness-a-parable/#more-1733

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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