Archangel Michael IZVOR:http://orthodoxwiki.org/Archangel_Michael (PRAVOSLAVN A WIKIPEDIJA) A typical Russian icon of the Archangel Michael. The HolyArchangelMichael is one of the most celebrated of the Angelsand bodiless powers; he is called theArchistrategos, or chief commander, of all the bodiless powers. According to Holy ScriptureandTradition, he has interceded for humanity multiple times and continues to serve as the Defender of the Faith. St Michael is most often invoked for protection from invasion by enemies and from civil war, and for the defeat of adversaries on the field of battle. He is celebrated primarily onNovember 8,theSynaxisof Michael and all the Bodiless Powers of Heaven;September 6also marks the miracle of the Archangel at Colossae. Scripture and Tradition The name Michael means "like unto God" or "Who is like unto God?" Michael first appears in theOld Testament in the book of Joshua's account of the fall of Jericho. Though Michael is not mentioned by name in the text, it is said that Joshua "looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand." When the still unaware Joshua asks which side of the fight the Archangel is on, Michael responds, "neither...but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come" (Joshua 5:13-14) 1 .In the book of Daniel, Michael appears first to help the Archangel Gabriel defeat the Persians (10:13). In a later vision it is revealed to Daniel that "at that time [the end times] Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning ofnations until then..." (Ch. 12) 1 . Michael thus plays an important role as the protector of Israel and later of his chosen people, theChurch.
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
There are three icons of the Archangel Michael that he has personally intervened miraculously to the
"authoring" of his image; Mantamados,Panormitis and Nenita. Each of these icons are different.
More typically, he is represented as the Chief Commander of the Heavenly hosts, where he holds a sword
in one hand; in the other he often carries either a shield, a date-tree branch, a spear, or a white banner
(possibly with a scarlet cross). Some icons of the Archangel Michael (or the Archangel Gabriel) show the
angel holding an orb in one hand and a staff in the other. [1]
Michael is also represented in icons as standing on a horizontal body and with his left arm held high,
holding a small image of a "baby". The body represents a human being at the time of his death and the
image of the "baby" represents the soul of the deceased. This icon came about since the belief has always
been held that the Archangel Michael takes the souls of the dead with the Guardian Angel. This is typical of
the miraculous and wonder-working Panormitis icon in Symi of Greece.
In Russian iconography he is most likely to be wearing red. In many instances, Michael tramples the devil
under his feet, which may be depicted as a dragon. This comes from the tradition that Michael was the main
opponent of Satan in the battle for Heaven. Satan, previously called Samael, was always looking to
discredit Israel, while Michael was its main protector. In the end, Satan attempted to drag Michael down in
his fall from the heights, but Michael was rescued by God.
There is only one 'icon' in the Orthodox church tradition that defies the traditional structure of iconography.
This is the icon of Mantamados that exists in Mytilene, Lesvos. Here his upper-torso is represented as athree-dimensional image mixed with dirt and blood of martyrs and he is a warrior. His face is alive and he
will mirror the condition of your soul by the expression on his face.
Hymns
Troparion (Tone 4) [1]
Commanders of the heavenly hosts,
we who are unworthy beseech you,
by your prayers encompass us beneath the wings of your immaterial glory,
and faithfully preserve us who fall down and cry to you:
"Deliver us from all harm, for you are the commanders of the powers on high!"
Kontakion (Tone 2) [2]
Commanders of God's armies and ministers of the divine glory,
princes of the bodiless angels and guides of mankind,