Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the Other Bodiless Powers

Commemorated on November 8

The Synaxis of the Chief of the Heavenly Hosts, Archangel Michael and the Other Heavenly Bodiless Powers: Archangels Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Selaphiel, Jehudiel, Barachiel, and Jeremiel was established at the beginning of the fourth century at the Council of Laodicea, which met several years before the First Ecumenical Council. The 35th Canon of the Council of Laodicea condemned and denounced as heretical the worship of angels as gods and rulers of the world, but affirmed their proper veneration.

A Feastday was established in November, the ninth month after March (with which the year began in ancient times) since there are Nine Ranks of Angels. The eighth day of the month was chosen for the Synaxis of all the Bodiless Powers of Heaven since the Day of the Dread Last Judgment is called the Eighth Day by the holy Fathers. After the end of this age (characterized by its seven days of Creation) will come the Eighth Day, and then "the Son of Man shall come in His Glory and all the holy Angels with Him" (Mt. 25:31).

The Angelic Ranks are divided into three Hierarchies: highest, middle, and lowest.

The Highest Hierarchy includes: the Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones.

The six-winged SERAPHIM (Flaming, Fiery) (Is 6:12) stand closest of all to
the Most Holy Trinity. They blaze with love for God and kindle such love in
others.

The many-eyed CHERUBIM (outpouring of wisdom, enlightenment) (Gen 3:24)
stand before the Lord after the Seraphim. They are radiant with the light of
knowledge of God, and knowledge of the mysteries of God. Through them wisdom is
poured forth, and people's minds are enlightened so they may know God and behold
His glory.

The THRONES (Col 1:16) stand after the Cherubim, mysteriously and
incomprehensibly bearing God through the grace given them for their service.
They are ministers of God's justice, giving to tribunals, kings, etc. the
capacity for righteous judgment.

The Middle Angelic Hierarchy consists of three Ranks: Dominions, Powers, and Authorities:

DOMINIONS (Col 1:16) hold dominion over the angels subject to them. They
instruct the earthly authorities, established by God, to rule wisely, and to
govern their lands well. The Dominions teach us to subdue sinful impulses, to
subject the flesh to the spirit, to master our will, and to conquer temptation.

POWERS (1 Pet 3:22) fulfill the will of God without hesitation. They work
great miracles and give the grace of wonderworking and clairvoyance to saints
pleasing to God. The Powers assist people in fulfilling obediences. They also
encourage them to be patient, and give them spiritual strength and
fortitude.

AUTHORITIES (1 Pet 3:22, Col 1:16) have authority over the devil. They
protect people from demonic temptations, and prevent demons from harming people
as they would wish. They also uphold ascetics and guard them, helping people in
the struggle with evil thoughts.

The Lowest Hierarchy includes the three Ranks: Principalities, Archangels, and Angels:

PRINIPALITIES (Col 1:16) have command over the lower angels, instructing
them in the fulfilling of God's commands. They watch over the world and protect
lands, nations and peoples. Principalities instruct people to render proper
honor to those in authority, as befits their station. They teach those in
authority to use their position, not for personal glory and gain, but to honor
God, and to spread word of Him, for the benefit of those under them.

ARCHANGELS (1 Thess 4:16) are messengers of great and wondrous tidings.
They reveal prophecies and the mysteries of the faith. They enlighten people to
know and understand the will of God, they spread faith in God among the people,
illuminating their minds with the light of the Holy Gospel.

ANGELS (1 Pet 3:22) are in the lowest rank of the heavenly hierarchy, and
closest to people. They reveal the lesser mysteries of God and His intentions,
guiding people to virtuous and holy life. They support those who remain
steadfast, and they raise up the fallen. They never abandon us and they are
always prepared to help us, if we desire it.

All the Ranks of the Heavenly Powers are called angels, although each has its own name and position by virtue of their service. The Lord reveals His will to the highest ranks of the angels, and they in turn inform the others.

Over all the Nine Ranks, the Lord appointed the Holy Archangel Michael (his name in Hebrew means "who is like unto God"), the faithful servitor of God, as Chief Commander. He cast down from Heaven the arrogantly proud Lucifer and the other fallen spirits when they rebelled against God. Michael summoned the ranks of angels and cried out, "Let us attend! Let us stand aright before our Creator and do not consider doing what is displeasing unto God!"

According to Church Tradition, and in the church services to the Archangel Michael, he participated in many other Old Testament events.

During the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt he went before them in the
form of a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Through him the
power of the Lord was made manifest, annihilating the Egyptians and Pharaoh who
were in pursuit of the Israelites. The Archangel Michael defended Israel in all
its misfortunes.

He appeared to Joshua Son of Navi and revealed the will of the Lord at the
taking of Jericho (Josh 5:13-16). The power of the great Chief Commander of God
was manifest in the annihilation of the 185 thousand soldiers of the Assyrian
emperor Sennacherib (4/2 Kings 19:35); also in the smiting of the impious leader
Heliodorus (2 Macc. 3: 24-26); and in the protection of the Three Holy Youths:
Ananias, Azarias and Misail, thrown into the fiery furnace for their refusal to
worship an idol (Dan 3:22-25).

Through the will of God, the Chief Commander Michael transported the
Prophet Habbakuk (December 2) from Judea to Babylon, to give food to Daniel in
the lions' den (Dan. 14:33-37).

The Archangel Michael disputed with the devil over the body of the holy
Prophet Moses (Jude 1:9).

The holy Archangel Michael showed his power when he miraculously saved a
young man, cast into the sea by robbers with a stone about his neck on the
shores of Mt Athos. This story is found in the Athonite Paterikon, and in the
Life of St Neophytus of Docheiariou (November 9).

From ancient times the Archangel Michael was famed for his miracles in Rus.
In the Volokolamsk Paterikon is a narrative of St Paphnutius of Borov with an
account of Tatar tax-gatherers concerning the miraculous saving of Novgorod the
Great: "Therefore Great Novgorod was never taken by the Hagarenes... when... for
our sins the godless Hagarene emperor Batu devoured and set the Russian land
aflame and came to Novgorod, and God and the Most Holy Theotokos shielded it
with an appearance of Michael the Archangel, who forbade him to enter into it.
He [Batu] was come to the Lithuanian city and came toward Kiev and saw the stone
church, over the doors of which the great Archangel Michael had written and
spoken to the prince his allotted fate, 'By this we have forbidden you entry
into Great Novgorod'."

Intercession for Russian cities by the Most Holy Queen of Heaven always
involved Her appearances with the Heavenly Hosts, under the leadership of the
Archangel Michael. Grateful Rus acclaimed the Most Pure Mother of God and the
Archangel Michael in church hymns. Many monasteries, cathedrals, court and
merchant churches are dedicated to the Chief Commander Michael.

In old Kiev at the time of the accepting of Christianity, a cathedral of
the Archangel was built, and a monastery also was named for him. Archangel
cathedrals are found at Smolensk, Nizhni Novgorod, Staritsa, at Great Ustiug
(beginning of the thirteenth century), and a cathedral at Sviyazhsk. In Rus
there was not a city, where there was not a church or chapel dedicated to the
Archangel Michael.

One of the chief temples of the city of Moscow, the burial church in the
Kremlin, is dedicated to him. Numerous and beautiful icons of the Chief
Commander of the Heavenly Hosts are also in his Cathedral. One of these, the
Icon "Blessed Soldiery," was painted in the Dormition Cathedral of the Moscow
Kremlin. The saintly soldiers, Russian princes, are depicted under the
leadership of the Archangel Michael.

We invoke St Michael for protection from invasion by enemies and from civil
war, and for the defeat of adversaries on the field of battle. He conquers all
spiritual enemies.

Holy Scripture and Tradition give us the names of the Archangels:

Gabriel: strength (power) of God, herald and servitor of Divine omnipotence
(Dan 8:16, Luke 1:26). He announces the mysteries of God.

Raphael: the healing of God, the curer of human infirmities (Tobit 3:16,
12:15)

Uriel: the fire or light of God, enlightener (3 Ezdras 5:20). We pray for
him to enlighten those with darkened minds.

Selaphiel: the prayer of God, impelling to prayer (3 Ezdras 5:16). He prays
to God for mankind.

Jehudiel: the glorifying of God, encouraging exertion for the glory of the
Lord and interceding for the reward of efforts.

Barachiel: distributor of the blessings of God for good deeds, entreats the
mercy of God for people.

Jeremiel: the raising up to God (3 Ezdras 4:36)

On icons the Archangels are depicted in according to the character of their service:

Michael tramples the devil underfoot, and in his left hand holds a green
date-tree branch, and in his right hand a spear with a white banner (or
sometimes a fiery sword), on which is outlined a scarlet cross.

Gabriel with a branch from Paradise, presented by him to the Most Holy
Virgin, or with a shining lantern in his right hand and with a mirror made of
jasper in his left.

Raphael holds a vessel with healing medications in his left hand, and with
his right hand leads Tobias, carrying a fish for healing (Tobit 5-8).

Uriel in his raised right hand holds a naked sword at the level of his
chest, and in his lowered left hand "a fiery flame."

Selaphiel in a prayerful posture, gazing downwards, hands folded on the
chest.

Jehudiel holds a golden crown in his right hand, in his left, a whip of
three red (or black) thongs.

Barachiel is shown with a white rose on his breast.

Jeremiel holds balance-scales in his hand.

Each person has a guardian angel, and every nation also receives its own guardian angel from God (Dan. 10:13). When a church is consecrated, it also receives a guardian angel (Palladius, Dial. Ch. 10).

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