Cathedral of Archangel Michael: miracles, what to pray for today
Every year on November 21, Orthodox believers celebrate the holiday, popularly known as St. Michael's Day. In the church calendar it is called the Cathedral of Archangel Michael and other heavenly forces incorporeal. Read more about this holiday and the miracles associated with it - in the material "Izvestia".
Cathedral of Archangel Michael: what is the holiday on November 21
The Cathedral of Archistratigus Michael and other heavenly forces incorporeal is a non-transient holiday and is celebrated every year on November 21 (the eighth day of the old style). Archistratigus in translation from ancient Greek means "commander-in-chief", that is how Orthodoxy began to call one of the most revered archangels - Michael.
The feast was established by a decree of the Council of Laodicea. Since in those days the year was counted from March, the feast fell on the ninth month of the angelic ranks: seraphim, cherubim, thrones, dominions, forces, powers, authorities, beginnings, archangels, angels.
Laodicean Council - local council of bishops of the Christian Church in Laodicea (10 kilometers from the modern city of Denizli in southwest Turkey). The exact time of the council is uncertain, but it is believed to have taken place between 341 and 381. It is best known for creating 60 rules on church government. These include prohibitions concerning heretics and those who do not pray to Jesus Christ, but only to angels (Rule 35).
Archangel Michael is one of the highest angels who led the heavenly host against the devil and other rebellious angels, for this he is called Archangel.
Archangels preach to people about the mysteries of God, reveal His will. Michael more than once appeared to the righteous to warn them of certain events. Olga Startseva, Deputy Science Director of the Perm Art Gallery and a participant of the "Museums of the Russian North" program of Severstal, told Izvestia about the holiday.
- The joyful and cheerful side of the holiday is explained by the unshakable belief in the victory of good over evil, where the main hero is Archangel Michael. In Christianity, he is honored as the main fighter against the devil and all lawlessness among people," the expert notes.
She also adds that religious tradition ascribes to Michael not only the victory over Satan, but also the role of the judge at the Last Judgment, to which he will call souls trumpet voice. And on icons he is depicted with a flaming sword in his hand or a spear, overthrowing the devil.
- Since the XII century images of Archangel Michael appear in the composition of the Last Judgment, he is depicted as a formidable warrior with scales, one cup of which tries to outweigh the devil. In Russian iconography, the earliest works dedicated to this theme date back to the 13th century," says Olga Startseva.
The Cathedral of Archangel Michael is not one of the great or bipedal feasts, but nevertheless in Russia this feast has always been very revered, and in his honor they built temples, named cities and settlements. Archangel Michael himself is considered the patron saint of the Russian army.
Archangel Michael: miracles in antiquity and in our time
There are many miracles associated with the Archangel Michael. Some of them have a long history, and some have appeared quite recently.
Miracle in Khoneh. According to legend, it occurred in the IV century and is connected with another amazing event. One day Archistratigus Michael appeared in a vision to a man whose daughter was neem, and told him that she would gain the gift of speech if she drank from a healing spring. Neither the father nor his daughter were baptized, but they followed the archangel's advice, and the girl did speak. After this event, the man and his entire family were baptized, and he himself built a temple in honor of the holy archangel Michael near the very source.
Soon many people became aware of the properties of the miraculous water, and not only Christians but also pagans began to come for healing, many of whom renounced their idols and were also baptized.
Later, a man named Archippus was an acolyte in this temple for 60 years. Thanks to his faith and prayer, many tongues believed in Christ, but not everyone liked it. Some of them were embittered against the Christians and Archippus and decided to destroy the temple, and with that to destroy the exemplary servant of Christ. In order to realize their plan, the pagans joined two mountain rivers into one and directed their course towards the temple. Archippus did not lose his courage and he prayed diligently to Archistratigus Michael. At the prayer of the clergyman the archangel appeared and, striking with a rod, opened a cleft in the mountain, where the stream rushed. The temple remained untouched.
This place was named Honeh, which means "hole" or "cleft".
Miracle in Rome. This event refers to the year 590. Then an epidemic of plague broke out in Italy, killing many, including Pope Pelagius II. His place was taken by St. Gregory the Great Dvoeslov. In order to cope with the terrible attack, he performed prayer services, led processions and urged everyone to turn to God. During one of the processions over the dome of the mausoleum of Emperor Hadrian, he saw the Archangel Michael, who hid his sword in its scabbard. The clergyman took this gesture as a sign that their prayers had been answered. And, indeed, the epidemic soon ended, and the figure of the Archangel Michael still adorns the mausoleum, which is now known to all as the "Castle of the Holy Angel."
Miracle at Dochiara. According to legend, in the XI century a young man learned about the burial place of the treasure, which he decided to donate for the arrangement of the Dohiar Monastery in Athos. The monks went to the cache together with him. However, when they saw the treasure, they decided to kill the young man and take everything for themselves. For this purpose they tied a stone to his neck and threw it into the sea. But the archangel Michael and the guardian angel appeared among the waves (according to another version, the archangel Gabriel appeared). In an instant they carried the young man to the monastery of Dohir, where the treasure was sent. The young man himself became a monk, hegumen, and then glorified Saint Barnabas of Doha.
Another miracle is connected with this place. In the XIII century the monks suffered from a lack of drinking water and tried to find at least one spring in the area. Then the archangels pointed out where it was necessary to put a well with pure water on the territory of the monastery itself, so that the water would come.
Miracle in Veliky Novgorod. In the spring of 1238, when the Tatar-Mongolian army led by Khan Batyi approached the city, it suddenly turned around and went back. It is not known what caused this decision, but the Monk Paphnutius of Borovsk told his disciples that Veliky Novgorod was protected by the Archistratigus Michael. Later, Batyi, having seen the image of the archangel in one of the Kiev temples, said: "He forbade me to go to Veliky Novgorod".
The appearance of Archangel Michael during the siege of Trinity. During the Time of Troubles (1598-1613) the Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra was under siege for 15 months. And in 1608, on the feast of the Cathedral, when vespers was served in the church, it was shelled. The parishioners prayed and wept at the sound of gunfire, and during the singing of verses Archimandrite Joasaph saw Archangel Michael threatening the enemies with vengeance. After this apparition of the archangel, the monastery held out for more than a year and was not captured by the enemy troops.
The miraculous healing of the Abbess. In the XIX century, Matushka Taisia (Solopova), the head of the Leushinsky women's community, organized the life of the monastery under her administration. However, she faced many difficulties, injustice and slander. As a result, in 1883, at the age of 40, she suffered a stroke and was paralyzed for several months. According to her, she got up after the Archangel Michael appeared to her. One day, when she was suffering from insomnia and could not even wipe away her tears, the archangel appeared to her and after a short conversation blessed the nun. Rising to her feet, Abbess Taisia was able to reach her monastery and soon turned it into a flourishing monastery.
Miracles of the Archistratigus during the Great Patriotic War. During the years 1941-1945 many events occurred, some of which were marked by the appearance of Archangel Michael. The story of February 8, 1945, when Mikhail Devyataev, a fighter pilot and Hero of the Soviet Union, and his comrades escaped from a German concentration camp, stands out. 40 years after the event, he said that he was moved to this decision by an archangel who appeared to him. And on that winter day he accompanied the Soviet pilot all the time and said: "You are Michael, and I am Michael".
Olga Startseva also reminds that there are other miracles associated with him: according to the Old Testament, Michael rescues Abraham and the three young men from the fiery furnace, leads Lot out of doomed Sodom, saves Isaac from death, and others.
The Cathedral of Archangel Michael and other heavenly forces incorporeal includes archangels:
- Gabriel. Herald of great and joyful events concerning the people of God;
- Raphael. Healer of human ailments, guide;
- Uriel. The fire and light of God. Enlightens the people and moves them to prayer;
- Jehudiel. Advocate on the way, helper to those in need for the glory of God;
- Barachiel. The giver of God's graces and guardian of purity of soul and body;
- Salaphiel. Prayer-giver of God, always praying to God for people and encouraging people to pray;
- Cephail. The kindler of love to God;
- Tachiel. Helper and protector in troubles and adversity.
What and how to pray today to Archangel Michael
Archangel Michael is not a person who is numbered among the saints, but despite this, believers often turn to him for help and protection. In particular, he helps people in military affairs, patronizes the military and those standing in defense of the state, protects sailors and all those associated with the elements of water. As Olga Startseva tells us, Michael also acts as an angel of mercy and petitioner of people before God. He is the angel of standing before the throne of God together with the archangel Gabriel. Thus, he is both the angel-writer who inscribes the names of the righteous in a book, and also the guardian angel of the mysterious writings, and among them the magic words with which the heavens and the earth were created. Hence his function as a teacher: he initiated Adam into the wonders of the universe, taught him agriculture, and Abraham - God-knowledge, he was also the teacher of Moses, to whom on Mount Sinai he handed over the tablets of the Law.
- Sometimes Michael was depicted as the escort of the souls of the dead to the Last Judgment, weighing the sinful and righteous deeds of people. The Archangel is often depicted on the northern doors of the iconostasis, as part of the so-called "angelic deesis", i.e. a prayer for the human race," says an interlocutor of Izvestia. - The theme of Archangel Michael weighing the souls of sinners at the Last Judgment has become a traditional motif of the iconography of the Day of Judgment, and Michael himself acquired the role of the patron saint of the dead. This representation of Michael was also reflected in the prayers addressed to him: "Holy Archangel Michael, protect us in the struggle, do not let us perish at the Last Judgment."
People turn to the Archangel for healing from various diseases, and for guidance on the path of truth. There are many different prayers to Archangel Michael. "Izvestia" collected a few of them:
- Troparion, voice 4: "O Archangel of the Heavenly Hosts, we unworthy Archangel, we beseech thee at all times, that by thy prayers thou mayst shield us with the shelter of the cries of thy immaterial glory; preserve us, who fall down diligently and cry: deliver us from trouble, as the ruler of the higher powers."
- Kontakion, voice 2: "O Archistratizi of God, ministers of divine glory, rulers of angels and instructors of men, ask for what is useful to us and for great mercy, as the incorporeal Archistratizi";
- "Great Archistratige of God, Michael, victor of demons, defeat and crush all my enemies visible and invisible. And beseech the Lord Almighty, may the Lord save and preserve me from all sorrows and from every disease, from deadly plagues and from vain death, O great Archangel Michael, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen."
Name Michael: meaning and character
The name Michael has Hebrew roots and comes from the name Michael, which translates to "who is like God". This is a rhetorical question, meaning "who is like God?" in the sense that no one can be equal to him. This name from ancient times has become very popular not only in Russia, but all over the world, having received different forms: Michael (English), Michel (French) or Miguel (Spanish).
The name Michael is in the top ten most popular names in Russia and in the world, sometimes rising even to the first line of the rating, which is not surprising, says Olga Startseva. It symbolically contains strength and power, and most importantly, the biblical unambiguity of the victory of good over evil.
- In the Orthodox tradition, Michael is a cultural hero who taught cattle breeding, bread-making and crafts (remember St. Florus and St. Laurus with horses whose bridles are held by Archangel Michael). In Russia, he was also considered the patron saint of princes and military, or warrior, glory.
Men who were given this name are usually strong in character, reserved, disciplined and open. Mikhail is characterized by endurance and strength. Not for nothing in Russia bears are often called Mishka. Men with this name love sports and outdoor activities, it is not in their character to start something and abandon it halfway. They are also not selfish, responsive and will become a strong support for relatives and friends.
Each has its own pluses and minuses. Among the disadvantages of the Mikhailovs can be distinguished a tendency to self-criticism. Because of their emotionality, they can flare up and then worry about it. They also like to argue and prove their case, and openness in the character does not exclude problems with trust.
If Michael gets angry, he becomes even more like a bear.
The Cathedral of Archangel Michael and other heavenly forces incorporeal in the people also became known as the general day of the angel, so on November 21 it is customary to congratulate not only the bearers of the name Michael, but also others. According to Orthodox Christianity, everyone has a guardian angel, but his name is not known to man.
- In prayers, one turns not only to the archistratigus for healing and support in important matters, but also to his guardian angel. This day is very necessary and important for the Orthodox circle of life: the most correct "formula of the day" will be the reconciliation of arguing and quarreling, and it is on the feast of the Cathedral of Archangel Michael that mutual reconciliation has a special meaning: concession does not belittle, but elevates. And also on this day the needy are gifted and a generous meal is prepared, a nourishing table. This is the only exception for labor on the holiday, any other work is recommended to be postponed, - concludes Olga Startseva.
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