September: Day 6: Teaching 2: Commemoration of the Miracle of Holy Archangel Michael in Chonae

September: Day 6: Teaching 2:
Commemoration of the Miracle of Holy Archangel Michael in Chonae
 
(Explanation of the Icon of the Archangel Michael with Moral Lessons Derived From It)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. Celebrating in honor of the Holy Archangel Michael, let us turn our reverent attention to the icon of the Holy Archangel of the Heavenly Powers, and let us take advantage of the lesson that the Holy Church wants to teach through him to all believers.

II. a) On the icon, we see the Archangel Michael in a warrior's uniform. What does this signify? Why is a resident of heaven, where peace and love dwell, depicted as armed? But, brethren, there was once a battle even there – in the kingdom of peace and love. Who rose against whom and contended? One of the higher spirits, possessing great perfections – Lucifer, with arrogance and pride, rebelled against his Creator and the Lord of all; many other spirits were drawn toward him, and they formed a terrible militia of the insurgents against the celestial order. It was then that the champion of God's glory, the Archangel Michael, appeared among the angels. Gathering all the angelic orders and the hosts loyal to God, he proclaimed with a loud voice: "Let us stand aright! Let us stand with fear before the One who made us, and let us not think contrary to God." And, standing first among the innumerable hosts of incorporeal spirits, he sang a triumphant hymn: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts!" Soon after this, all the spirits of wickedness were cast down from heaven. This is why the Archangel Michael, as the chief defender of God’s glory, the conqueror of the devil and his angels, is referred to by the Holy Church as the foremost angel of the Heavenly Hosts, the oldest among the angelic ranks, the Archistrategos of the Heavenly Hierarchies! This is why he is always depicted in a warrior form, with a sword or spear in hand, having the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan (Rev. 20:2), crushed beneath his feet, a spirit of wickedness, whom he has vanquished and cast down.

After this, brethren, what does the warlike appearance of the Archistrategos of the Heavenly Hosts inspire in us? A fervor for the glory of God and a struggle for the Church of Christ? The same zeal for God, always vigilant, always ready to take up arms against the attacks of the devil — the ancient serpent, first in covert actions and then in open and dreadful ones. It compels us to turn to this warrior in prayer for help and protection during the assaults from the enemies of God: the leader of the army of incorporeal beings in heaven is undoubtedly the best defender for those besieged on earth by the primal murderer.

b) Quite often, however, the Holy Archangel Michael is depicted with a spear, the top of which is decorated with a white banner with a cross. What does this mean?

1) The white banner adorning the top of the standard is a distinct symbol of the Archangel and all his host, a testament to his military valor. It signifies the unwavering moral purity and steadfast loyalty of the angels to the Heavenly King. The valiant army of good angels, since the beginning of their existence, has preserved purity in their thoughts, desires, feelings, and actions; from their creation to this day, they remain faithful and unchanging to God, having so firmly established their loyalty that they can never again violate their sacred service to the King of kings. To us, brethren, who are earthly spiritual warriors – for although we live on earth, we belong to the same heavenly host that strives for the glory of God, hence our earthly church is called the Church Militant – we say that we must emulate the Archangels and all the incorporeal good Powers in purity and faithfulness to the Lord of hosts. We, who so often stand in need of the intercession and assistance of angels, must above all take care to preserve our moral purity and fidelity to the will of God, so that we may be in constant communion with the Heavenly Powers, without whose aid, due to our blindness and laziness, our inattention and weakness, we would not be able to achieve any victory over our enemy.

2) What does the cross at the end of the spear, depicted in the hands of the Archangel, signify? It signifies that the struggle against the kingdom of darkness and the victory over it by the Celestial Powers is accomplished in the name of the Cross of Christ, through patience, humility, and self-denial. "Who is the author of the ultimate victory over the enemy of God? Who can completely crush the head of the serpent? Only He, in whose hand is every principality, power, and might in heaven and on earth. Satan and his minions, by the army of angels, under the leadership of the Holy Archistrategos, have been cast down from heaven, but not entirely crushed: having been cast down, he formed on earth a militia against heaven, invulnerable, one might say, to any angel, but crushed by the God-man Jesus Christ, through His crucifixion. Since that time, this Heavenly Army has engaged in battle against the spirits of wickedness under the banner of the Conqueror of hades and death, drawing strength and courage from the Cross.

Thus, the icon of the Holy Archangel Michael naturally directs our thoughts to that great Cross-Bearer, Who is the leader and perfecter of our salvation. If the Heavenly Powers achieve victory over the ancient enemy of God, angels, and mankind under the banner of our Lord Jesus Christ, then we, weak and feeble, ought to draw as near as possible under the shadow of the Cross, striving in every way to ensure that we never depart from its saving shade.

III. This, brethren, is what the icon of the Holy Archangel Michael signifies! These are the thoughts that his holy icon inspires in us! Let us look more attentively at this icon, so as to transform ourselves into the likeness of the heavenly warriors, so that through fellowship with the icon we may acquire in it a defender, helper, and champion against our enemies.

Holy Archangel of God, with the incorporeal countenance! We beseech You, save us from our enemies. Amen. 

 

Source: A Complete Annual Cycle of Short Teachings, Composed for Each Day of the Year. Translated by John Sanidopoulos.