SYNAXIS OF THE HOLY ARCHANGELS MICHAEL AND GABRIEL AND ALL THE BODILESS
POWERS November 9th


Troparion of the Angels Tone 4
Supreme Leaders of the Heavenly Hosts,/ we implore you that by your prayers
you will encircle us,/ unworthy as we are,/ with the protection of the wings
of your immaterial glory/ and guard us who fall down before you and
fervently cry:/ deliver us from dangers,/ for you are the commanders of the
powers above

For those who don’t know, Mimi is short for Michelle, and my Patron Saint is the Holy Archangel Michael. When I was about to be Chrismated Orthodox, my priest said “Michelle, after the Archangel Michael” and I had a moment of dismay (I wanted an exotic name, like Sophia or Tatiana) but once I got to think about how my parents had given me this name and I had been under the protection of the Archangel my whole life, it just fit into my Orthodoxy. Even though I’m a bit of a peacenik and he’s decidedly a warrior for God, I have grown to love him and entreat him for his prayers for me. Today is my Patron Saint’s Day, so I thought I’d share a bit about the Archangels.



From
From St. Nikolai Velimirovch’s Prologue:

Holy Scripture clearly and irrefutably witnesses that angels ceaselessly
communicate with this world. The Holy Scripture and Holy Tradition of the
Orthodox Church teaches us the names of the seven leaders of the angelic
powers: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Salathiel, Jegudiel, and Barachiel
(an eighth, Jeremiel, is sometimes included).
``Michael'' in the Hebrew language means ``Who is like unto God?'' or ``Who
is equal to God?'' St. Michael has been depicted from earliest Christian
times as a commander, who holds in his right hand a spear with which he
attacks Lucifer, Satan, and in his left hand a green palm branch. At the top
of the spear there is a linen ribbon with a red cross. The Archangel Michael
is especially considered to be the Guardian of the Orthodox Faith and a
fighter against heresies.
``Gabriel'' means ``Man of God'' or ``Might of God.'' He is the herald of
the mysteries of God, especially the Incarnation of God and all other
mysteries related to it. He is depicted as follows: In his right hand, he
holds a lantern with a lighted taper inside, and in his left hand, a mirror
of green jasper. The mirror signifies the wisdom of God as a hidden mystery.
``Raphael'' means ``God's healing'' or ``God the Healer.'' (Tobit 3:17,
12:15). Raphael is depicted leading Tobit (who is carrying a fish caught in
the Tigris) with his right hand, and holding a physician's alabaster jar in
his left hand.
``Uriel'' means ``Fire of God,'' or ``Light of God'' (III Esdras 3:1, 5:20).
He is depicted holding a sword against the Persians in his right hand, and a
fiery flame in his left.



And, from Father Thomas' Wisdom Readings:

The Archangel Michael is the outstanding figure in the eyes of the Greek
Orthodox Church and is depicted in the many houses of worship in an icon
always on the extreme left where he is pictured as a guardian of Paradise
from whence Adam and Eve were evicted. In some icons he is seen with a
flaming sword as a symbol of the righteousness that called for the casting
out of the Garden of Eden of Adam and Eve after they had fallen victim to
Satan in the form of a serpent. Among other things, it was Archangel Michael
who was sent by God to countermand the command of God himself that Abraham
sacrifice the life of his own son Isaac. Archangel Michael was also the
messenger who warned Lot to flee from the wicked cities of Sodom and
Gomorrah.

Archangel Michael's involvement with mankind is also seen in other ways,
including his protection of Jacob from the wrath of his brother Esau over a
matter of inheritance for which there are probate courts today. The
Scriptures also tell us that it was Michael who battled the Devil for the
soul of Moses following the death of the founder of the Israel nation. The
Devil based his claim on the soul of the great Moses on the basis of Moses
having killed an Egyptian prior to the Exodus, but the defence of the
monumental figure of the Bible by Michael saved the soul of Moses from the
clutches of Satan.

We are further told that it was Michael who stood by Joshua during his first
encounter with his enemies in the land of Canaan. Mentioned in the New
Testament numerous times, in which his lofty position is recognised,
accounting for many miracles recounted as being attributed to the handiwork
of Michael, chief of which is the changing of the course of a river at a
place called Chonais in Asia Minor.


So, if it is your Patron Saint Day as well, Happy Feast Day! And, thank you to Philippa for the nice card this morning! It was a lovely surprise!