St. Michael the Archangel
By Jeff Schiffel

Who is St. Michael?
St. Michael is a guardian angel who watches over and protects all those who serve God. He is the Defender of the Faith. In Hebrew, “Michael” means “One who is like God.” Icons of St. Michael are written with him holding a double-edged sword. The two edges are truth and justice.

St. Michael is the most powerful of the four principle archangels (the other three are Gabriel, Raphael, and Uriel). In both the Old and New Testaments, St. Michael stands against the forces of Hell. St. Michael is the ideal warrior for God, always exhibiting courage and loyalty. His battles are won not by his own efforts, but because he always invokes the power of God.

St. Michael has four duties: he fights against evil, personified by Satan, Lucifer, and the dragon; he rescues souls of the faithful; he transports them to Heaven for judgement; and he is the champion of God’s people. In this last role, Daniel (10:13, 10:21, 12:1) identified Michael as the patron of Israel.

Oral and Written Traditions
The three great desert religions all know of  Michael. In the Quran (II, 98), he is said to provide nourishment for bodies and knowledge for souls. Jewish oral tradition holds that St. Michael was the leader of the Army of God during the revolt of the fallen angels that was led by Lucifer. This oral tradition believes it was through Michael that God spoke to Moses at the burning bush, that Michael stopped Abraham from sacrificing his son, and that he also destroyed an attacking Assyrian army. Reference to him can be found in both the Old and New Testaments as standing against the forces of Hell. In the New Testament, the Book of Jude (1:9) refers to the tradition that Michael guards the body of Moses.

In the Christian tradition, St. Michael is the Angel who brings redeemed souls from earth up to Heaven. In this role, St. Michael brought to Mary news of her impending dormition (i.e., her death). But his principle role is of the warrior. Revelation (12:7-9) states that Michael will lead the angelic host into battle against the forces of evil, slaying the dragon. This future event recalls the Jewish tradition that in pre-history, Michael led the host in the battle against Lucifer – “Michael” was the angels’ battle cry.

Holy Day
St. Michael’s holy day, in the Byzantine calendar, is November 8, the Synaxis (gathering) of the Holy Archangels Michael & Gabriel & all the Bodiless Powers. The following troparion (a short hymn on the theme of the day) is sung on this date:

Let us praise Cherubim, Seraphim, Thrones, Powers, Authorities and Principalities, Dominions, Archangels and Angels for they are the Bodiless ministers of the Unoriginate Trinity and revealers of incomprehensible mysteries. Glory to Him Who has given you being; glory to Him Who has given you light; glory to Him Who is praised by you in thrice-holy hymns.
 
In the Western Rite calendar there are two days that commemorate Saint Michael: the Apparition of Saint Michael the Archangel (May 8th) and the Feast of Saint Michael and All Angels (September 29th).