Holy Archangel Michael and the Other Bodiless Heavenly Powers

Life

The angels of God were celebrated by men from deep antiquity. But this celebration often degenerated into worship of angels (IV Kings 23:5). Heretics fabricated all sorts of fables about angels. Some of them regarded angels as gods; others, though not considering them gods, called them creators of the entire visible world. The Local Council of Laodicea, which took place four or five years before the First Ecumenical Council, by its 35th canon rejected the worship of angels as gods and established proper veneration of angels. In the time of Pope Sylvester of Rome and Patriarch Alexander of Alexandria (of the fourth century), this feast of the Archangel Michael and the other Heavenly Powers was established in the month of November. Why in November? Because November represents the ninth month after the month of March. In the month of March is considered to have been the creation of the world. And the ninth month after March was chosen because of the nine orders of angels, who were created first. Saint Dionysius the Areopagite, disciple of the Apostle Paul, that apostle who was raised up to the third heaven, described these nine orders in his book "On the Celestial Hierarchy." These orders are as follows: the six-winged Seraphim, the many-eyed Cherubim and the God-bearing Thrones, Dominions, Powers and Authorities, Principalities, Archangels and Angels. The commander of the entire angelic host is the Archangel Michael. When Satan, Lucifer, fell away from God and drew with him into perdition a portion of the angels, then Michael arose and cried out before the angels who had not fallen: "Let us attend! Let us stand aright, let us stand with fear!" And all the heavenly hosts of the faithful angels thunderously sang: "Holy, holy, holy, Lord of Sabaoth, heaven and earth are full of Thy glory!" (See concerning the Archangel Michael Joshua 5:13-15; Jude 9.) Among the angels there reigns perfect unanimity, concord and love, and moreover complete obedience of the lower orders to the higher orders, and of all together to the holy will of God. Every nation has its guardian angel, and besides this every Christian has his guardian angel. One must always remember that whatever we do, openly or in secret, we do in the presence of our guardian angel. And on the day of the Dread Judgment there will gather all the vast multitude of the holy heavenly angels around the throne of Christ, and before them all will be revealed the deeds, words and thoughts of every man. May God have mercy on us and save us by the prayers of the holy Archangel Michael and the other bodiless heavenly powers. Amen.

From the Hymn of Praise

Heavenly chief commandersWho regard us with care,Shelter us with your wings,Surround us with your power.