Archangel Michael in Holy Scripture
The name of this archangel appears several times in the Bible. It literally translates as “who is like God.” Despite the fact that angels are rarely mentioned by name in the Old Testament, Michael is directly mentioned more than once in the sacred Jewish texts.
Saint Innocent of Kherson
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 warfare against vice and impiety, and constant humility and self-sacrifice. He was the first to rebel against Lucifer when he rebelled against the Almighty. It is known how this first terrible battle ended - with the overthrow of Dennitsa from the sky. Since then, Michael has not ceased to fight for the glory of the Creator and Lord of all, for the salvation of the human race, for the Church and her children.
Analyzing the Holy Scriptures, Christian theologians came to the conclusion that other Old Testament appearances of archangels not named by name are also associated with Michael:
- the rescue of Jewish youths from the fiery furnace during the Babylonian captivity (Dan. 3:95);
- blocking the path of Balaam (Num. 22:22);
- the death of 185 thousand soldiers of the Assyrian king Sennacherib (2 Kings 19:35);
- the appearance of the leader of the army of the Lord to Joshua in the form of a man with a drawn sword in his hand (Joshua 5:13–15).
Book of the Prophet Daniel
But the prince of the kingdom of Persia stood against me twenty-one days; but behold, Michael, one of the first princes, came to help me, and I remained there with the kings of Persia. (Dan: 10: 13-13) However, I will tell you what is written in the true scripture; and there is no one who would support me in this except Michael, your prince. (Dan 10:21)
On the pages of the canonical books of the New Testament, this archangel is directly named only once. Apostle Jude Jacob, mentioning the book “The Dormition of Moses,” reports that Michael forbade the devil to possess the body of the prophet Moses.
Apostle Jude Jacob
Michael the Archangel, when he spoke with the devil, arguing about the body of Moses, did not dare to pronounce a reproachful judgment, but said: may the Lord rebuke you. (Jude 1:9)
He appears repeatedly in apocryphal books, but a special place is given to him in the prophecies of the Last Judgment by the Prophet Daniel and in the “Revelation” of John the Theologian.
Prophet Daniel
And at that time Michael will arise, the great prince who stands for the sons of your people; and a time of trouble will come, such as has not happened since people existed until now; But at that time all of your people who are found written in the book will be saved” (Dan. 12:1)
Revelation of the Apostle John the Theologian
And there was a war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought against them, but they could not resist, and there was no longer a place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, the ancient serpent, called the devil and Satan. Open 12:7-9.
The role of Archangel Michael
From the Holy Scriptures we also learn about the special role of the Archangel Michael in the struggle between good and evil, which occurred before man was created. Once upon a time, in the spiritual world inhabited by angels, a “revolution” took place: Lucifer (“the luminous one”), one of the angels close to God, rebelled against Him: “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God... I will be like the Most High” (Isa. 14:13–14).
Many succumbed to the devil's temptation, but Michael, with the words “Who is like God? No one like God! raised everyone who did not follow Lucifer to battle evil. With his army, he won a victory, as a result of which the demonic forces were “cast down into hell, into the depths of the pit” (Is. 14:15).
However, the confrontation between light and dark forces, of course, did not end there; it will continue until the Last Judgment, and every person is a participant in this struggle.
Fedor Dostoevsky
What seems disgraceful to the mind is pure beauty to the heart. Is there beauty in sodom? Believe that it is in Sodom that she sits for the vast majority of people - did you know this secret or not? The terrible thing is that beauty is not only a terrible, but also a mysterious thing. Here the devil fights with God, and the battlefield is the hearts of people. (“The Brothers Karamazov”, Book 3, Chapter III)
What does Archangel Michael help with?
Archangel Michael has been revered throughout the Christian world since the first centuries. He took a great part in the destinies of the church and entire states.
Patron of warriors and protector from all evil
The conqueror of the devil has always been an assistant to warriors. It is not for nothing that he is otherwise called the commander-in-chief - the archangel (from the Greek αρχιστρατηγός). In Byzantium, the eastern part of the Roman Empire, coins with his image were minted by order of the emperors: monarchs and military leaders considered him their patron.
In Rus', he was also considered the patron saint of the defenders of his land. His figure adorned the helmets of ancient Russian warriors.
Protector of the souls of the dead and sleeping
Thanks to the prophecies of the Holy Scriptures, which say that the Archangel Michael in the last times will intercede for those in whom at least the slightest bit of good remains, Christianity has developed the idea of him as the protector of the souls of the dead and sleeping people.
In Byzantium, many noble people were buried in the temples of the Archangel Michael in the hope of his protection on the Day of Judgment.
Healing power and help in sanctifying the home
The veneration of the Archangel Michael as a healer also dates back to early Christian times. In Asia Minor, healings often took place at springs consecrated in his honor, and then temples were erected in these places. Later, hospitals were built next to them and received the same name.
After the Baptism of Rus', this tradition took root in our country: before the revolution, many Russian hospitals had St. Michael the Archangel chapels.
Archangel Michael is also addressed when they begin to build a house or move into a new apartment. He who defeats the devil also protects human habitation from evil.
Defender of Russia
In Russia there was also an appearance of the Archangel Michael. In 1608, the Holy Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius was besieged by the Poles. The shining holy voivode Michael with a scepter appeared to Archimandrite Joseph, the rector of the monastery, and warned that they had little time left to endure, since the Lord would soon give them vengeance. And the enemy soon retreated.
The Most Holy Theotokos became the defender of Russian cities along with her heavenly army, led by Archangel Michael. The faith of Orthodox people in his help is very great, since he is the conqueror of adversaries, a deliverer from troubles and sorrows, a protector from evil spirits, enemies visible and invisible.
They pray to Archangel Michael at the entrance to a new house, asking him to patronize the throne in the management and salvation of the Russian state.
Miracles of Archangel Michael
The Holy Scriptures have preserved many evidences of miraculous phenomena associated with the name of the Archangel Michael.
Miracle in Khoneh
In the 4th century, in the Asia Minor city of Colossae, located in the valley of the Lycus River, there was a Christian temple. According to legend, it was erected by one of the townspeople in gratitude for the healing of his daughter in the waters of the miraculous spring, which was consecrated in honor of the Archangel Michael.
In the first centuries of Christianity, pagans often persecuted followers of Christ and destroyed temples. This time they decided to take advantage of the forces of nature and connected the beds of two stormy rivers flowing from the mountains, so that the flow would wash away the church.
Icon “The Miracle of the Archangel Michael in Khoneh”
One of the sextons (according to another version, a deacon) of this temple named Arkhip addressed a fervent prayer to the archangel, to which he was not slow to respond. He appeared in the path of the seething water, hit the rocks with his staff, causing a crack to form in the mountains into which the water rushed. Thus, the temple was saved, and the city, in memory of the miraculous event, was named Khona - “cleft”.
The colossus was located in the territory of modern southwestern Turkey, near Denizli. In pre-Christian times, it was a prosperous city located at the crossroads of trade routes. However, by the 1st century it began to gradually decline, presumably due to changes in trade caravan routes.
In the New Testament, it is mentioned in the letter of the Apostle Paul to the Colossians - residents of Colosse, which was not yet renamed Chona. After the conquest of Byzantium by the Turks, Khony was repeatedly plundered, and by the second half of the 13th century the city was practically destroyed.
In memory of this event, a holiday was established in the Orthodox Church called “Remembrance of the miracle of Archangel Michael in Khoneh.” It was reflected in iconography; churches were consecrated in his honor in Russia.
Plague in Rome
In the 6th century, the first plague epidemic in human history claimed thousands of lives. It began in 541 in Egypt and spread to Asia Minor, and then to Europe - to the territory of modern Italy, Spain, France and Germany. After the emperor of the eastern part of the Roman Empire, Justinian I, who suffered a terrible disease, the epidemic was named Justinian.
In the spring of 590, in deserted Rome, Deacon Gregory, who later became Pope Gregory I the Great, organized a religious procession and prayer service, calling the remaining townspeople to repentance. At that moment, when the procession passed by the mausoleum erected over the tomb of Emperor Hadrian, the image of the Archangel Michael was revealed above the dome. In his hands was a bloody knife, which he wiped off and sheathed. Soon after this miraculous phenomenon, the disease retreated from the city.
Rescue of Sipontus
In the 6th century, the warlike tribe of Lombards, immigrants from western Germany, fought with Italy. During the siege of the city of Sipontus, through the prayers of the local bishop, the Archangel Michael appeared, who promised a quick victory over the Lombards. According to legend, the attackers were deafened by thunder and blinded by a cloud from which lightning, fire and smoke rained down. Soon they left the city.
The grateful residents decided to build a church in the name of the archangel, but, appearing again to the bishop, he reported that in a nearby cave there was already a temple in his honor.
Surprised townspeople discovered a church carved from stone, in the altar of which there was a source of healing water. The place was named Monte Sant'Angelo and became very revered in the Christian world. Today, pilgrims still flock to this town, located on Cape Gargano.
Temple
Since ancient times, people were deeply confident in the authenticity of this phenomenon, so a monastery was erected on this site in honor of the Holy Archangel Michael. He, a servant of the Divine glory and an all-validated commander, as described in the Holy Scriptures, helped the Israelites in battles and accompanied Moses all the way to the Promised Land.
On September 6 (19), all Orthodox people Fr.
This story began with the fact that not far from the city of Hierapolis, in Phrygia, in an area called Herotopa, there was a temple of St. Michael, and near it there was a sacred spring. The temple was built by a local resident - the father of a girl who was healed of muteness. The archangel himself appeared to this man in a dream and told him that his daughter would receive healing if she drank water from the spring. In connection with this wonderful event, the whole family was baptized at once.
One day, dissatisfied pagans decided to destroy this holy place. And then they tried to connect two mountain rivers into one channel, and their flow was directed directly to the Church of St. Michael. Saint Arkhip, who lived at this temple, prayed, and the Archangel Michael appeared to him. He struck with his staff and opened a crack in the ground, which absorbed all the water, then this place became known as Khona (cleft, hole).
How to correctly contact Archangel Michael
In Orthodoxy, it is generally accepted that prayer is a personal conversation between a person and God, angels or holy people. Its “success” or “failure” does not at all depend on “right” or “wrong” actions, therefore prayer cannot be considered as a spell with magical powers. The answer that the person praying depends on his own mental state and on the mercy of the Lord.
Meanwhile, the words that we address in prayer are, of course, of great importance, first of all, for ourselves, so we need to pronounce them with attention and concentration, turning to the archangel from a pure heart. You can pray in your own words or using texts compiled earlier. The main thing is that they are in tune with our soul.
Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh (Blum)
It is not enough to pray just because it is “right”, “this is how it should be”. We must pray in such a way that we gradually grow into prayer. If you go to a concert, you are most likely unable to perceive the music with the same feeling with which the composer perceived life, beauty, meaning - everything that he included in his creation. But if during a concert you let the music carry you away, embrace you, influence you, you will gradually become more receptive to what the composer wanted to convey.
Prayer-amulet “Three Angels”, protecting from troubles and problems
One of the most powerful prayer amulets is the unique “Three Angels” prayer. It most likely owes its strength to a special composition system: the prayer text combines elements of the Orthodox and pagan traditions. In addition, the prayer appeal is reinforced in the text with elements of conspiracy.
The person pronouncing the text of this prayer must be baptized. "Three Angels" is suitable for daily reading.
It is known that every person has his own Guardian Angel. He is assigned to everyone at the moment of birth by the Lord himself in order to bestow protection on the newborn. However, there is a church tradition that every person has not one, but three guardian angels :
- two patrons accompany the human soul on his birthday to earth, and they will take him to heaven after death;
- one protector accompanies a person on earth his entire life (it is he who is considered the only Guardian Angel by the majority).
So this is precisely why the “Charm of the Three Angels” is such a strong protective prayer, because you ask for help from 3 of your angels at once, and do not forget about their difficult role in your life.
- Tune in completely to the process, distract yourself from all extraneous worldly thoughts, focus on the main thing - the coming day.
- Realize what events can happen to you in a day, what hopes you have for this day, turn to the Lord and your protectors. Do not wish harm to anyone under any circumstances!
- After you manage to completely tune in and relax, open your soul to heaven, you can recite the text of the prayer amulet.
What prayers should you read?
Orthodox prayer books contain several prayers to the Archangel Michael for various needs.
Prayer to Archangel Michael from enemies and all evil
Daily prayer to Archangel Michael against all evil
Prayer to Archangel Michael for intercession, help and against illnesses
Troparion to Archangel Michael, tone 4
Prayer to Archangel Michael for every day
Types of the most powerful Orthodox prayer appeals
The most powerful and impenetrable prayer amulets are considered to be the “Three Angels Charm” and “Forty-Strong”. Each of them, of course, performs its functions in protecting the Christian. Such amulets can protect not only from troubles, illnesses or misfortunes, but also from the evil eye, magical influences and enemies.
But it is difficult to divide such amulets into varieties. There is no clear classification. Traditionally it is customary to divide them into two subspecies:
- protection from all enemies;
- from failures.
These are universal amulets that can be used for almost any area of life. They are used to protect both themselves and their loved ones. You can also make spells for your home or any room that you would like to protect from the evil eye or magic. Some use them to remove damage, the evil eye, or to divert witchcraft attention from a particular person.
Such protective prayers work best when recited on some symbolic object. Most often, for convenience, a pectoral cross is used, but you can use any object that does not conflict with Orthodox dogmas.
Protection from all enemies
Such a conspiracy usually contains an appeal to the Lord Almighty, the Mother of God, All Saints, and Michael the Archangel. Such protective prayer helps protect not only from sorcerers and witches, but also from:
- ordinary ill-wishers;
- envious people;
- people with an “evil” eye.
One of the most popular prayer texts in this category is the text “Seven Crosses”. It can be used both for yourself and for loved ones. You need to pronounce a conspiracy, which is a strong protection against evil, the evil eye and all troubles, while standing in front of seven lit church candles. In this case, you need to baptize the space around you, going clockwise .
Typically, such a talisman is used against troubles that befall a person as a result of an intentional negative magical effect.
From all troubles
Prayers protecting against failures and troubles are most often addressed to the Mother of God, one’s Guardian Angel, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. The text of the prayer amulet must be spoken out loud in this case. It is suitable even for those who themselves committed evil and were punished for it, but at the same time repented of their sins and bad thoughts.
The meaning of the icon of the Archangel Michael
Images of the Archangel Michael, which were created by Orthodox icon painters, always correspond to the approved canon, according to which angels appear on icons in the form of young people with wings, dressed in tunics and himationa (cloaks). Their heads are crowned with toroki (ribbons).
An icon or fresco depicting the head of the angelic army can be distinguished from other angelic ranks by the spear, pike or sword that he holds in his right hand. With the help of this weapon he defeats the devil. In the left hand, in different versions, you can find a mirror, symbolizing insight, a date branch, meaning victory, or a scales, reminiscent of the coming final judgment for each person.
Often, icon painters “dress” the archangel in scarlet military robes or chain mail. Icons depicting the miracle performed by the archangel in Khoneh are also widespread.
Memorial Days
In the Orthodox tradition, the main holiday associated with the name of Archangel Michael is November 21. This date was not chosen by chance in the 4th century. At that time, a heretical teaching spread among Christians, whose supporters worshiped angels as the creators of the world and its rulers.
At the Council of Laodicea, heresy was condemned and a decision was made to establish a day of remembrance of the angelic forces under the leadership of the archangel on the eighth day of the ninth month of each year. The number 9 corresponded to the nine ranks of angels, and 8 symbolized the eighth day of creation, when the Last Judgment will take place.
The day was chosen according to the calendar in force at that time in the Roman Empire, but in Russia it corresponded to November 8. When switching to a new style, the date shifted by two weeks, and now we celebrate the Council of the Archangel Michael of God and all the ethereal Heavenly Powers on November 21.
The remembrance of the miracle performed by the archangel in Khoneh is celebrated on September 19 according to the new style. On the same day, the memory of the deacon through whose prayers it happened, the Monk Archippus of Herotopus, is commemorated.
Divine services
On November 21, solemn services are held in all Orthodox churches in honor of the angelic forces and their leader, Archangel Michael. The canon, troparion, kontakion and magnification are “woven” into the text of the service. In addition, the corresponding fragments from the Old Testament are read on the prokemna.
Greatness
Kontakion, tone 2
Joshua reading. [Chapter 5.]
Reading of the Judges of Israel. [Chapter 6.]
Reading the prophecies of Isaiah. [Chapter 14.]
Prayer service
If one of your loved ones is in places of hostilities or there is a danger to his life, you should visit an Orthodox church and order a prayer service to Archangel Michael. The note can include the names of not only these people, but also all loved ones and relatives. When the priest reads a prayer service, it is advisable for the person giving the request to be personally present in the church and participate in the service, since Orthodox prayers are not spells that can only be read.
Amulet prayer is one of the strongest protective tools. With the help of such a protective amulet you can protect yourself and your loved ones from almost any troubles and misfortunes. The method of such protection has been tested by more than one century and more than one generation of people. A guardian prayer can work both for a person and for his home, any undertaking, family, etc.
