The miraculous help of Archangel Michael
It so happened that in the temple, where I often went after work, there hung an old icon - “The Cathedral of the Ethereal Powers.” I always liked it very much, I tried to light a candle in front of it and pray to my Guardian Angel, as well as to the Archangels who are depicted there.
Spiritualized faces surrounded by halos - neither male nor female - looked at me wisely and with a strange expression, as if they were trying to say something, or sympathizing. At the same time, I was always simultaneously attracted and frightened by the image of Archangel Michael. Every time I prayed to him, I was seized by a completely mystical horror.
Among our Russian people, love for this archangel is special. There are many temples dedicated to him, many icons were painted, his images, together with Archangel Gabriel, decorate the side gates of the altar, and many of his images are found on church utensils, he is depicted on the coat of arms of Russia, and Arkhangelsk is named after him. There is a belief among people that in case of danger, one should read a prayer to him. Now I understand a little why. I had a very special mystical experience with the Archangel Michael. The fear of turning to him passed when I once almost died. What saved me was that I prayed to him. And I was saved by a miracle!
At one time I had very bad dreams, and I also suffered from a fear of the dark when I lived alone. Every time it became unbearable, I read a prayer (in addition to the usual evening prayers) to Archangel Michael, and fear let go of its claws, I fell asleep peacefully.
One day I came up with the idea that since just prayer helps me, I need to do something more in his honor and it will help even more. I turned out to be right! It was approaching November 21 - Michaelmas Day. I ordered a prayer service to Archangel Michael and read him an akathist. I had the idea of donating money in his name, and I bought a large bouquet of white flowers, took it to the temple and placed it in front of his icon.
I didn't expect such a quick response! I forgot what a nightmare and fear of the dark are. Moreover, now I’m not afraid of anything at all, although I used to be afraid of heights, depths, roads, horses, cars, etc. Moreover, I constantly come across his images, Archangel Michael... Some embroidery patterns, I really want to embroider his image, a bookmark for the Gospel, an icon....
After this day, I had a strong desire to order his icon. At first I doubted whether this was a temptation from the devil, I fervently prayed to God, asking: “If this is not from You, dispel this desire, if from You, show me that this is so...”
At first I wanted to order the “Cathedral of the Ethereal Forces” icon, but then an icon painter I knew, with whom I talked about the order, explained to me that “one character - one price, but many characters - a completely different price. “This is quite a significant difference in money for me. When I was reading about the iconography of the archangels, a phrase caught my eye - “they say, Satan boasts that on icons they have stopped depicting him trampled upon by the Archangel Michael.” I asked my icon painter friend if this was true. He was surprised: “How did they stop depicting this? It’s just that this icon is rare... Come on, I’ll write it for you?”
Immediately after the service, where I mentally asked about this icon of God before the Chalice, I came to a church-going friend. She saw my printed sheets of paper with icon drawings and said, pointing to that same image: “How I like this icon! I even have it as the screensaver on my mobile.”
And it is called “Archangel Michael - the formidable commander of the heavenly forces.” And he is depicted riding a horse, trampling the ancient serpent with a spear. We pray before him, as before the representative of the highest power on Earth, and the representative of an irresistible force, the protector of people and the conqueror of evil forces.
Before the great miracles that he performed by the will of God, before his formidable image, his soul trembles, he cannot even dare to ask in prayer for something small, some material benefits, something less than the salvation of Russia and his own life, the repose of his beloved deceased relatives and your own soul salvation.
(I’ve already thought about what I’ll name my son if I have one. But if I have a daughter, I’ll have to name Michelle
