Church celebrates the Synaxis of Archangel Michael

Fresco of the Archangel Michael. Photo: open sources

On November 21 (November 8 according to the Julian calendar), Orthodox Christians celebrate the Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the Other Bodiless Heavenly Powers – one of the great Church feasts dedicated to the veneration of the angelic hosts led by the Archangel Michael.

The Synaxis of the Archangel Michael is established in honor of all nine ranks of angels: Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Powers, Authorities, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels. The word “synaxis” in the name of the feast refers to the gathering of all the Heavenly Hosts around their commander, the Archistrategos Michael.

The Archangel Michael is revered as the foremost fighter against the devil and every form of human wrongdoing. His name, translated from ancient Hebrew, means “Who is like God?” According to Church Tradition, it was the Archangel Michael who led the faithful angelic hosts in battle against the fallen angels under the leadership of Lucifer.

The feast reminds the faithful of the spiritual struggle between good and evil and of the help that angelic powers offer to human beings. The Church teaches that at baptism every Christian receives a guardian angel who accompanies a person throughout life, protecting from harm and guiding toward salvation.

Earlier, the UOJ reported on the Feast of the Synaxis of the Archangel Michael.

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