Michael is the archangel who protects righteous Israel. He is mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments and in the Quran. In visual art he is usually depicted as a knight with a drawn sword and halberd. In mysticism he is the ruler, the leader of the archangels, symbolized as the golden ray of light, the sun and the crystal sugilite. Anyone who calls on Archangel Michael will reap courage, gain self-confidence and feel safe under his protective wings.
Contents
- By fire and sword
- Archangel Michael and the forbidden tree
- Patron Saint Michael
- Towns
- Archangel Michael – the golden ray of light
- Invocation of the Archangel Michael
By fire and sword
In the 4th century the worship of Archangel Michael began to take shape. Michael was the leader of the angels and fought evil with fire and sword. In Daniel 10:13 he is the patron of Israel. Judas called him the archangel who fought Satan for Moses’ remains. In Revelation 12:7-12 he is the angel who attacks the dragon (Satan). He is also said to have appeared to Pope Gregory I (540-604), the 64th Pope of the Catholic Church.
Archangel Michael in the Kurfürstlichen Schlosses Bonn, Germany / Source: Ioanuuna, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA-3.0)
Last Judgment
Shrines are dedicated to him, especially in high places such as Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy. It is therefore not surprising that he became the patron saint of armor bearers. Later Michael was also depicted with a scale. He would weigh the souls at the Last Judgment. Thus the bakers’ guild and the weighmasters also got him as their patron saint. His holidays are:
- September 29: Church dedication festival in Rome.
- May 8: Apparition on Mont Sant’ Angelo.
Archangel Michael and the forbidden tree
Both Christians and Jews worship the Archangel Michael, whose name means: He who is like God. Archangel Michael is also mentioned in the Koran. In Sura 2:98 it is written: Whoever is an enemy of God and His angels and His messengers and Gabriel and Michael, then indeed God is an enemy of such disbelievers. Michael fulfills many tasks, such as the role he has in the Legend of the Holy Cross. In that story, Seth receives a branch of the forbidden tree from Michael to heal his dying father – Abraham. But Abraham had now died and Seth planted the branch at his grave. From this grew the tree from which the wood was later sawn with which the cross of Jesus was made.
Rome
Agnolo Gaddo immortalized this legend in a fresco. The artwork can be admired in the S. Groce in Florence. In Rome, Archangel Michael is said to have appeared to Pope Gregory I during the plague epidemic. The archangel flew through the air with a flaming sword.
Patron Saint Michael
The dying, sick and poor called on him for a good death and protection against lightning and thunder. There are countless legends and anecdotes about the miraculous deeds of Archangel Michael, leader of the angels, conqueror of evil, protector of Christians and guide of souls. For this reason, he became the patron saint of many professions, including:
- Bakers.
- Swordsmithing.
- Military personnel.
- Law enforcement officers.
- Grocers.
- Weighing meters.
- Pharmacists and many other professions.
Towns
Many cities have Archangel Michael as their patron saint, including:
- Mont-Saint-Michel (Normandy).
- Brussels.
- Seattle.
- Kiev.
Archangel Michael / Source: Guariento di Arpo, Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Archangel Michael – the golden ray of light
In mysticism, the archangels are compared to the rays of divine light, such as white light that breaks up through a prism into the rainbow colors. In that respect, Archangel Michael is the golden ray of light, symbolized by the sun and the crystal sugilite. The tasks of Archangel Michael are numerous. He rules the world, his weapons are the sword and fire. The seraphs keep that divine fire burning with the hymn Holy, Holy, Holy .
Positive energy
Archangel Michael is the ally of all who lead. Anyone with a negative attitude should invoke him to gain positive energy. Michael rules the element of fire. Courage, confidence and leadership are the words that symbolize him.
Invocation of the Archangel Michael
Anyone with a righteous, pure passion for the service of fellow man will find a fiery ally in Archangel Michael.
His invocation during prayer is:
Michael, teach me to lead steadfastly with true vision and insight, so that I may never forget that the best leaders are also servants. Help me to put aside my fears, worries and doubts. That I may purposely
keep my destiny in view at all times and in all places. loves.
read more
- The eight exalted archangels – Zadkiel
- The eight exalted archangels – Raphael
- The eight exalted archangels – Uriel
- The Eight Exalted Archangels – Hanael (Chamuel)
- When did the angels get wings?