The spiritual world, although invisible to the human eye, has many inhabitants. Among them, people know angels; they are often mentioned in the Holy Scriptures. The Holy Fathers even compiled several classifications of heavenly powers. Archangels are one of the nine ranks, these are beings with superhuman abilities. They are also endowed with will, have names, and carry out special assignments directly from God. The icon of Archangel Michael depicts one of the military leaders of the angelic army.
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According to the holy fathers, the angelic world was created before the material, visible. Also known from their descriptions are the properties inherent in the angelic nature. For example, angels have personalities; the names of some of them are even revealed to us. These ancient creatures, which play a particularly important role in the history of the relationship between God and man, have their own iconography.
Who are the archangels
Archangels have superhuman abilities and belong to one of the 9 angelic ranks. Their direct responsibility is to carry out the Lord’s instructions. The clergy puts forward theories that angels were created long before the material world. Each of them has its own personality and name. The most ancient creatures act as intermediaries between the earthly and heavenly worlds, and also convey the will of the Lord to mere mortals.
In the Orthodox world, the image of Archangel Michael is especially revered
Description and meaning of the icon of Archangel Michael
Icons depicting saints differ in their subject matter. However, the figure of Michael always contains several required attributes:
- Angels are ethereal beings, but they are depicted in human form for ease of perception. Their holiness is symbolized by white wings folded behind their backs and a halo above their heads;
- Archangel Michael is depicted in a robe of blue, white, and sometimes gold;
- behind his back is a red cloak, and in his hands is a staff or a fiery sword;
- the saint's hair is decorated with a toroka, which symbolizes obedience to the Almighty;
- Sometimes icons depict a mirror, denoting the gift of prediction.
In the Orthodox world, the icon of Archangel Michael is revered with special power, since he leads the invincible heavenly army. He stood up to Satan when he rebelled in Heaven, and continues to fight evil in the human world. The Archangel patronizes warriors who defend a just cause, fight for their home, family and eradicate evil spirits. In the Holy Scriptures, Archangel Michael is to be one of the commanders-in-chief of the holy army in the final battle of Good and Evil.
The mirror symbolizes the gift of prediction
The archangel's robe comes in blue, white or gold shades
The saint's hair is decorated with toroka
Meaning
The icon depicts a winged archangel in the form of an apocalyptic horseman, majestically galloping on a fiery horse. Wings and a spear in the hand symbolize the ability to move quickly and do the will of God.
The Archangel is dressed in armor, with a blue-green chiton underneath and a red chlamys (small cloak) on top. The color red represents divinity and strength. He wears black shoes.
On his head is a royal crown with a diadem, a symbol of immediate obedience to God. A halo shines around his head.
The Archangel's face is red - this indicates the presence of the fire of the deity. In one hand he holds the reins of a fiery horse with silver wings and a trumpet. With a trumpet he announces the second coming of the Lord, the sound spreads throughout the world just like the wind, which can also reach all places.
In his other hand he holds the Gospel in a decorative metal binding. From the Gospel, the word of God goes out into the world. The gospel is a joyful message, the source of God's Word. Frankincense is one of the gifts that the Savior received at birth from the three wise men as a symbol of God.
The Archangel spread his arms. A cosmic rainbow shines between them - a symbol of God’s reconciliation with people. Michael, the Grand Duke, defeats evil - Satan, depicted as hellfire. He hits the enemy with a spear. The Archangel casts him into the abyss forever.
His winged Fire Horse jumps over the abyss. A powerful leader, inspiring awe and wonder, the messenger of God, commander of the heavenly armies, appears before the face of the Lord.
In the upper part we see a cloud, on the cloud an altar is prepared with the Holy Gospel and Emmanuel, who gives his blessing with the monogram IC XC - Jesus Christ.
The miraculous power of the holy face
History knows many miraculous acts of Archangel Michael. The first mention of them appeared in a legend about a resident of the city of Colossi. He was able to heal his daughter with water from a miraculous spring, after which he erected a temple and dedicated it to St. Michael.
Then the story moves to Archippus of Khirotopsky, who served in this temple for more than 60 years. The pagans became angry with the righteous man and decided to destroy the holy place. They connected 2 small rivers and directed the water flow to the temple. The sexton began to frantically pray to Archangel Michael. The saint heard Archippus’ appeal and pointed his staff at the mountain, in the place of which a crevice formed. The water rushed into it, but the temple remained untouched.
During the period of the plague that raged in Italy (590), the Pope held a solemn prayer service. After offering prayers, the image of St. Michael appeared above the roof of the mausoleum, and the plague soon ceased. The building was renamed Castel Sant'Angelo.
History knows many miraculous acts of Archangel Michael
Veneration of the Archangel Michael
Many magnificent buildings have been created in honor of the divine warrior. For example, the Roman emperor Constantine I (272-337) erected the temple of the Archangel Michael (Michaelion) on the site of a pagan temple north of Constantinople, as well as several smaller ones in Antioch, Anatolia (a city in modern Turkey) and Egypt. There are similar sanctuaries all over the world: the hero’s name is given to the northernmost Catholic church in Hammerfest (Norway), St. Michael’s Cathedral (a Kiev architectural monument of the 11th century, built by the son of Yaroslav the Wise), an island chapel in Cornwall (Great Britain), which can only be reached on foot in low tide and the oldest pilgrimage site in Western Europe - the cave basilica on Mount Gargano (Italy).
Mount St Michael, Cornwall
The triumph of the archangel over evil is depicted in paintings by Rubens, Raphael Santi, Jan van Eyck, Agnolo Bronzino, and Viktor Vasnetsov. The best Orthodox icon painters, Andrei Rublev and Simon Ushakov, also captured it. Mikhail is depicted on the coats of arms of Arkhangelsk, Kyiv, Brussels, and he is also very popular in faleristics (decoration of awards and orders). John Milton, Lorca, Johann Goethe and Guy de Maupassant wrote about the Lord's messenger, and in the 20th century. Films are made about him - from the epic film “Legion” to the humorous series “Good Omens”.
All Christians celebrate the 21st (according to the old style -
November - the day of the Archangel Michael. This date, established in Art. IV, is not accidental - it reminds of the number of angelic ranks and the inevitability of the Last Judgment. Here is how the celebration is celebrated:
- attend church, confess and receive communion, distribute mil
- shame and light a candle for the repose of dead souls;
- they try to be with their family and friends, treating them to traditional dishes - pies, honey, fried meat;
- It is forbidden to chop with an axe, saw, clean, or weave;
- According to folk custom, they appease the courtyard - the spirit that looks after property outside the house. He is called to dine, placing food in the stable or outside the threshold.
Fresco on the St. Michael's Monastery. Vydubychi tract
Michaelmas heralds the beginning of winter. Morning fog promises a thaw, frost - a snowy December, and clear sun and strong wind - quick frosts. If snow falls, it will remain until Easter.
Where to place the icon in the house
The location of the icon depends on its size, since there are no specific prohibitions in Orthodoxy for the location of the holy image. The main criterion is a person’s motivation to read the prayer. You need to choose an icon by listening to your inner voice. He will tell you which of them the person has a soul for. Most often, the face of Archangel Michael is placed on the iconostasis, the main thing is that the icon of the Savior is in the center. A lamp is placed in front of the holy image, into which church oil is poured and lit during prayer.
How to pray correctly
The main rule of any prayer is purity of heart and thoughts. Otherwise, the appeal to the holy image will remain unanswered. If a person asks not for protection and patronage, but for harm to his enemies, then the Archangel can punish him for sinful thoughts.
In Orthodoxy, there are 2 days when they celebrate the saint's day. It is on these dates (November 6, 8) that men and women are advised to ask for help from Archangel Michael. However, in the families of military personnel who are patronized by the saint, the icon is venerated at any time.
Prayers are offered to her at any hour, since you can ask for protection not only on canonically established days.
Icon of the Archangel Michael: what it protects from
The angelic image has enormous protective potential. It differs from many other icons in that it protects a person not only from external enemies or negative circumstances, but helps to fight internal ones - invisible, but no less dangerous.
Unfortunately, most people on Earth are very far from the title of saints and often sin with unseemly deeds or thoughts. They largely shape our lives, our future. Therefore, sometimes you need to be more afraid not of strangers, but of yourself.
The icon of the Archangel will protect the soul from self-destruction and help you better control your thoughts. As a result, a person realizes where he is behaving incorrectly and will be able to improve.
Prayer to the icon of Archangel Michael
O Lord Great God, King Without Beginning, send, O Lord, Thy Archangel Michael to the aid of Thy servant (name), take me away from my enemies, visible and invisible! O Lord Archangel Michael, pour out myrrh of moisture on your servant (name). O Lord Michael the Archangel, destroyer of demons! Forbid all enemies who fight against me, make them like sheep and crush them like dust before the wind. O great Lord Michael the Archangel, six-winged first prince and commander of the weightless powers, Cherub and Seraphim! O God-pleasing Archangel Michael! Be my help in everything: in insults, in sorrows, in sorrows, in deserts, at crossroads, on rivers and seas a quiet refuge! Deliver, Michael Archangel, from all the charms of the devil, when you hear me, your sinful servant (name), praying to you and calling on your holy name, hasten to my help, and hear my prayer, O Great Archangel Michael! Lead all those who oppose me with the power of the honorable life-giving cross of the Lord, with the prayers of the Most Holy Theotokos and the Holy Apostles, and St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, St. Andrew the Fool and the Holy Prophet of God Elijah, and the Holy Great Martyr Nikita and Eustathius, the Reverend Father of all Saints and Martyr and all the holy heavenly powers. Amen. Oh, Great Archangel Michael, help me, your sinful servant (name), deliver me from the coward, the flood, the fire, the sword and the flattering enemy, from the storm, from the invasion and from the evil one. Deliver me, your servant (name), great Archangel Michael, always, now and ever, and forever and ever. Amen.
The main heavenly commander, who stands up for those fighting for a just cause, became famous for his miraculous deeds. People come to the icon of the Archangel Michael, striving to know faith in the Lord, to draw closer to him in thoughts and deeds.
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Character origin story
The Warrior of Light is revered in three world religions, but the origin of his image is shrouded in mystery. Researchers disagree on this issue. It is believed that the name Michael was known already in the 8th century BC and was used by people who inhabited the banks of the Tigris and Euphrates. Scientists suggest that the legends about the saint are rooted in the religion of ancient Persia, in which it was customary to divide the warriors of light and darkness into two opposing camps.
The cult of the archangel is associated with folklore. Beliefs said that Michael appeared on three mountain peaks, the former habitat of the pagan deity Odin. Hence the saint’s feast day, which falls on September 29. This is the date of the harvest and festival in honor of fertility. Since the 8th century, images of the Archangel Michael were applied to German battle banners.
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Image of Archangel Michael
The Archangel patronized the German troops fighting the Hungarians who had invaded foreign lands. Michael was often associated with Siegfried, the dragon slayer. Occult teachings mention the name of the archangel. Sacred texts also contain stories about him.
The biography of Archangel Michael is full of events that made him revered even among Muslims. The stories and legends that accompany it say that Michael, the leader of light, leads the army of the Lord into battle against the forces of evil and darkness controlled by Belial. In Islam, as well as in Christianity, the Archangel Michael occupies a high position. He is God's messenger, giving kindness and grace to human hearts. Michael also commands the clouds. God's messenger ensures that God's law is observed and will be present at the Last Judgment as the protector of all lost believers.
The story of Archangel Michael goes back centuries; its source is the Bible. The book tells how long before the first man appeared in heaven, a war took place. Lucifer, feeling proud, rebelled against the Creator. The angel was expelled along with several heavenly warriors who supported him. Having turned into demons, they represented the side of darkness, and the Archangel Michael, who spoke in defense of the Creator, led his army. The Book of Revelation describes the struggle of angels with the dragon, when the ancient serpent, the embodiment of the devil, was cast down to earth.
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Archangel Michael is mentioned as a heavenly warrior in the Book of the Prophet Daniel. There is also a belief that Michael helped the people of Israel in their search for the Promised Land. Scripture scholars suggest that he led the Israelites through the Red Sea, using a pillar of fire to cause the waters to part. The Old Testament tells about the actions of the heavenly messenger, who is personified with the Archangel Michael.
People often turn to the saint asking for health. It is believed that it protects against evil forces that provoke ailments and helps to resist them. There are many magical springs in the world that bear the name of the saint. According to legend, Michael guards the gates of heaven, protecting them with a sword from uninvited guests.
