November: Day 8: Teaching 2: Synaxis of the Holy Archangel Michael and the Other Bodiless Powers

November: Day 8: Teaching 2:
Synaxis of the Holy Archangel Michael and the Other Bodiless Powers
 
(The Seven Archangels of God)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. On the day of the Archangel Michael and other Heavenly Bodiless Powers, let our word be about the seven highest archangels of God.

II. In heaven, brethren, despite the mutual love, joy, and blessedness of each and every one, there is nonetheless not that equality which some, in their utter foolishness, seek on earth; there, some govern and preside, others obey and follow. Essential and complete equality is found only among the three Persons of the Most Holy Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Although the number of angels is immeasurably great, "ten thousand times ten thousand," as the Holy Scripture phrases it, there are only seven archangels. "I am one of the seven holy angels," said the Archangel Raphael to the righteous Tobit, "who carry up the prayers of the saints and enter into the presence of the Holy One" (Tobit 12:15). Why are there only seven chief angels – no more, no less? This is a mystery of creation, known only to the Lord and Creator of the angels. With reverence, we can only observe that the number seven is sacred: looking upon the kingdom of grace, we find the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven mysteries. Beholding the kingdom of nature, we find seven rays of light, seven tones of sound, seven days of creation, and so forth.

a) Among these seven chief spirits, the Holy Church first recognizes Michael. The name of Michael, "Who is like God?," signifies his identity. "Who is like God?" is also manifested in all his deeds. He was the first to rise against Lucifer (Satan) when he rebelled against the Almighty. It is known how this first terrible war ended – with the downfall of the Morning Star from heaven. Since then, the Archangel Michael has never ceased to battle for the glory of the Creator and Lord of all, for the cause of the salvation of mankind, and for His Church and its children. Therefore, he is depicted in a militant form, with a spear or sword in hand, standing over a dragon, that is, the spirit of evil. The white banner adorning the tip of his spear signifies unwavering purity and steadfast loyalty of the angels to the King of Heaven; and the cross that crowns the spear indicates that the battle against the kingdom of darkness, and the victory over it by the archangels themselves, is accomplished in the name of the Cross of Christ, through patience, humility, and selflessness. Therefore, for those who bear the name of the foremost of the archangels, it is most fitting to distinguish themselves by zeal for the glory of God, loyalty to the King of Heaven and earthly rulers, perpetual struggle against vice and ungodliness, and constant humility and self-denial.

b) The second place in the hierarchy of angels belongs to Gabriel, a name meaning "the power of God." This archangel, in the work of serving human salvation, acts especially as a herald and servant of God's omnipotence. Thus, when the power of God is to be revealed in the miraculous conception of the Forerunner by elderly parents, the message of this conception is entrusted to Gabriel. Similarly, when the immaculate conception of the Son of God Himself is to occur, the honor of proclaiming this also falls to Gabriel. According to divinely wise men, this archangel was sent to strengthen the Savior in the Garden of Gethsemane and to announce to the Mother of God her glorious Dormition. Therefore, the Church calls him a minister of miracles. But, by ministering to miracles, he is also a special minister of the mysteries of God. The Holy Church sometimes depicts him holding a branch of paradise in his hand, which he brought to the Mother of God, and sometimes with a lantern in his right hand, within which a candle burns, and in his left hand a mirror made of jasper. He is depicted with a mirror because Gabriel is the messenger of God's judgments regarding the salvation of mankind; he is depicted with a candle in the lantern because God's judgments remain hidden until the time of their fulfillment, and are only comprehended by those who steadfastly look into the mirror of God's word and their own conscience. Thus, if to anyone, then those bearing the name Gabriel are fitting for that "faith in God" (Mark 2:23), by which, according to the words of the Savior Himself, nothing is impossible.

c) Raphael, or "God's Help and Healing," is the name of the third archangel; a name beloved by all who are suffering. In the Holy Scriptures, there is an entire book describing how this archangel, appearing in human form, accompanied Tobias, freed his bride from an evil spirit, restored the sight of his elderly father Tobit, and then ascended to heaven from them. Therefore, this archangel is often depicted holding a medical vessel in his left hand and guiding Tobias with his right hand. The words spoken by this archangel upon parting from the family of Tobit are highly instructive: "Prayer is good when accompanied by fasting, almsgiving, and righteousness," declared Raphael, "for almsgiving delivers from death, and purifies every sin; you have not withheld your philanthropy from me, but I was with you" (Tobit 12:8-9, 13). Therefore, whoever wishes to be worthy of Raphael’s heavenly aid must first and foremost be philanthropic toward those in distress. Moreover, the virtue of mercy and compassion should especially distinguish those who bear the name of Raphael; otherwise, they will not enjoy a spiritual union with the archangel.

d) The fourth archangel is depicted with a sword in his right hand and a flame descending downward in his left; his name is Uriel, meaning "the light or fire of God." As an angel of light, he enlightens the minds of people with the revelation of truths beneficial to them; as an angel of divine fire, he inflames hearts with love for God and eradicates impure earthly attachments. Thus, this is your archangel, people devoted to the sciences! Do not forget, following his example, to be servants not only of the light of truth but also of the fire of divine love. "Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up" (1 Cor. 8:1).

e) The fifth archangel is the supreme minister of prayer, and is called Selaphiel. Pure and fervent prayer itself can serve as a cherub for the soul, protecting it from all hostile forces. But what are our prayers like? Weak, brief, impure, cold. And so, the Lord granted us an entire host of angelic intercessors, led by Selaphiel, so that with the pure inspiration of their lips, they might warm our cold hearts to prayer, instructing us on what, when, and how to pray, and lifting even our offerings to the throne of grace. When you see, brethren, in an icon, an archangel standing in the posture of prayer, with eyes lowered and hands reverently placed on the chest, know that this is Selaphiel. And upon seeing the archangel of prayer in such a posture, strive, during your own prayers, always to maintain a position befitting one who prays. Befitting, I say, for many lack even that. Watching how some of us pray, one might think that they are not asking, but commanding and threatening the One from Whom they ask. Is this truly prayer?

f) In the right hand of the sixth archangel is a golden crown, and in the left, a whip made of three red cords. This is because the duty of this archangel, along with the host of angels entrusted to him, is to encourage with the reward of eternal blessings and to protect, in the name of the Holy Trinity and by the power of Christ's cross, those who labor for the glory of God; hence, he is called Jegudiel, or "Glorifier of God." Each of us, from the youngest to the eldest, is obliged to live and work for the glory of God. Yet, on our sinful earth, among us sinful humans, no good deed is accomplished without effort, and many are carried out with great and arduous toil. What is needed? Our Lord and Master will not forget any of our "deeds" or any "labor of love" (Heb. 6:10) done in His name. The greater the endeavor, the higher and the brighter the reward. In the archangel's right hand, the crown is not there in vain: it is the reward for every Christian who labors for the glory of God.

g) The last archangel — the last in order, but not in dignity and power — is given the name Barachiel by the divinely wise teachers of the Church. He is the angel of God's blessings, as his name signifies; he is depicted with a multitude of rose flowers in the depths of his garment. Since God's blessings are varied, the ministry of this archangel is also manifold: through him, God's blessing is sent upon every good deed, upon every good worldly pursuit. But only then, undoubtedly, do people desire to accept earthly blessings for the sake of acquiring heavenly and eternal blessings: when, for example, they desire to have children in order to raise them in the fear of God; they expect an abundance of earthly fruits in order to share them with the poor wasting away from hunger; to adorn God's temple; to look after orphans; to redeem an innocent debtor; and so forth. Otherwise, the Lord will not send, and the archangel will not bring blessing.

III. Celebrating the synaxis of archangels and angels, we must, brethren, reflect that we too must, absolutely must, be either in the assembly of angels or among the throng of rejected spirits. Who can decide on the latter? But desiring the former, we must prepare ourselves in advance for communion with angels through the acquisition of angelic thoughts and feelings.

Let us, brethren, have a zeal for the glory of God similar to Michael's, and let us fear to commit wickedness, since this archangel is ready to invisibly destroy every wicked person.

Let us enlighten our minds with the light of knowledge sent by Archangel Uriel, but at the same time, let us sincerely and simply trust the mysteries of the Kingdom of God revealed through Gabriel, and not inquire too deeply into that which man cannot fully comprehend at the present time.

Let us be compassionate and merciful to those in need like Raphael, then we ourselves will be shown mercy through this archangel.

Let us offer fervent prayer to God with the Archangel of Prayer, Selaphiel, and under his protection, and let us gaze amidst our toils and hardships at the golden crown in the hand of Archangel Jegudiel, with which every "laboring and heavy laden" will be crowned in the future life.

Let us, finally, gratefully accept the earthly blessings and earthly happiness sent by God through the Archangel Barachiel, but let us not become forgetful in our happiness and let us use it in such a way as to obtain heavenly blessings and goods through it.

Let us also remember that even if not all angels are equal, but there are juniors and seniors, higher and lower, then even less can people on earth be equal. Some must necessarily stand higher and others lower, some rule and others submit. Finally, let us firmly remember that in the future life we must enter either the angelic world or the world of evil spirits. Amen.

 

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