Commemoration of the Miracle of the Holy Archangel Michael

Life

In Phrygia there was a place called Chonae (Submersion), not far from Hierapolis; and in that place a spring of wonder-working water. When the Apostle Saint John the Theologian with Philip was preaching the Gospel in Hierapolis, he looked upon that place and prophesied that a spring of wonder-working water would open there, from which many would receive healing, and that the great Commander of the hosts of God, Michael, would visit that place. Soon afterward this prophecy was fulfilled: a spring of water opened, which became renowned in all directions for its miraculous power. A certain pagan in Laodicea had a mute daughter, and was in great sorrow because of this. But the Archangel Michael appeared to him in a dream and directed him to bring his daughter to that spring, and she would be healed. The father immediately obeyed, brought his daughter, and found at that water a great multitude of people who had come seeking salvation from various afflictions. They were all Christians. Then that man asked how one should seek healing, and the Christians told him: "In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit one must pray to the Archangel Michael." The man prayed in this manner and gave his daughter water from the spring to drink, and the girl began to speak. Then that pagan was baptized together with his daughter and his entire household, and he built a church by the spring in the name of the Archangel Michael. Later a young boy named Archippus settled in that place and practiced asceticism there with the strict discipline of fasting and prayer. The pagans caused him many vexations, for it was not to their liking that such great power proceeded from this Christian holy place and drew many people to itself. In their malice they diverted a nearby river to flood both the church and the spring. But through the prayer of Archippus, the holy Archangel appeared and opened a fissure in the rock beside the church, into which the diverted river was submerged. Thus that place was saved and was called Chonae — Submersion — because the river was submerged into the opened chasm. Saint Archippus practiced asceticism there until his seventieth year and peacefully reposed in the Lord.

From the Hymn of Praise

Commander of God,Michael the captain,Sword-bearing servantOf the Most High Lord,