The Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the Other Bodiless Powers of Heaven

The Archangels

Every November 8 the Orthodox Church takes regard of the holy angelic host.  The western Church observes this on September 29, calling it Michaelmas. Let’s take an accounting of the Bodiless Powers and their orders and rankings.  My source for the ranking of the angelic beings comes from oca.org.  

HIGHEST RANKING:

SERAPHIM:  (Flaming, Fiery):  The stand closest of all the the Most Holy Trinity.  they blaze with love for God and kindle such love in others.

CHERUBIM:  They are many eyed each with six wings, and are the outpouring of wisdom, and enlightenment.  They are radiant with the light of knowledge of God, and knowledge of the mysteries of God.

THRONES:  They stand after the Cherubim.  They are ministers of God’s justice.

THE MIDDLE RANKING:

DOMINIONS (Col 1:16) hold dominion over the angels subject to them. They instruct the earthly authorities, established by God, to rule wisely, and to govern their lands well. The Dominions teach us to subdue sinful impulses, to subject the flesh to the spirit, to master our will, and to conquer temptation.

POWERS (1 Pet 3:22) fulfill the will of God without hesitation. They work great miracles and give the grace of wonderworking and clairvoyance to saints pleasing to God. The Powers assist people in fulfilling obediences. They also encourage them to be patient, and give them spiritual strength and fortitude.

AUTHORITIES (1 Pet 3:22, Col 1:16) have authority over the devil. They protect people from demonic temptations, and prevent demons from harming people as they would wish. They also uphold ascetics and guard them, helping people in the struggle with evil thoughts.

However, according to St Paul, it appears that some of the Principalities and Powers fell along with Lucipher (a Seraph) and other angelic beings.

For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6: 12).

THE THIRD AND LOWEST RANKING:

PRINCIPALITIES (Col 1:16) have command over the lower angels, instructing them in the fulfilling of God’s commands. They watch over the world and protect lands, nations and peoples.

ARCHANGELS (1 Thess 4:16) are messengers of great and wondrous tidings. They reveal prophecies and the mysteries of the faith. They enlighten people to know and understand the will of God, they spread faith in God among the people, illuminating their minds with the light of the Holy Gospel.

There are eight archangels”

St Michael:  “Who is like God.” The commander of all the ranks and species of angels, and is the archangel most mentioned in the Scriptures

St Gabriel: “strength (power) of God,” herald and servitor of Divine omnipotence (Dan 8:16, Luke 1:26). He announces the mysteries of God.

St Raphael: “the healing of God,” the curer of human infirmities.  He accompanied Tobias as he sought out his wife Sarah (Tobit 3:16, 12:15).

St Uriel: “the fire or light of God,” enlightener (2 Esdras 5:20). We ask for Uriel to pray for the enlightenment those with darkened minds.

St Selaphiel: “the prayer of God, impelling to prayer” (2 Esdras 5:15). He prays to God for mankind.

St Jehudiel: “the glorifying of God,” encouraging exertion for the glory of the Lord and interceding for the reward of efforts.

St Barachiel: distributor of the blessings of God for good deeds, entreats the mercy of God for people.

St Jeremiel: “the raising up to God” (2 Esdras 4:36)

Then, finally, we have the

ANGELS (1 Pet 3:22) who are in the lowest rank of the heavenly hierarchy, and closest to people. They reveal the lesser mysteries of God and His intentions, guiding people to virtuous and holy life. They support those who remain steadfast, and raise up the fallen. Each person from the time of birth, or early childhood, has a guardian angel (Matt 18:10), and every nation also receives its own guardian angel from God (Dan. 10:13). When a church is consecrated, it also receives a guardian angel (Palladius, Dial. Ch. 10).  They never abandon us and they are always prepared to help us, if we desire it.

Adding to this information we have these two verses written by St Paul:

For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking.  It has been testified somewhere [Psalm 8: 3-5], what is man that you are mindful of him, you made him for a little while lower than the angels, you have crowned him with glory and honor, putting everything in subjection under his feet (Hebrews: 2 5-8).

He then adds this:

For surely it is not with angels that he is concerned, but with the descendants of Abraham (Hebrews 2: 16).

Why is God not concerned with the Bodiless Powers of Heaven?  These bodiless creatures’ fates have been determined and sealed.  The holy, glorious angles are forever with God, but the fallen, hideous, and wicked demons are forever doomed for damnation.

Thus, because of God’s concern for us we ask God for their presence in our lives.  The Church gives us information about their purpose and mission in her liturgical services.

From the Divine Liturgy’s Litany of Supplication:  We ask God for “…an angel of peace, a faithful guide and guardian of our souls

From the Prayer of the Hours:  “Compass us round about with your holy angels, that guided and guarded by their host we may attain to the unity of the faith and knowledge of your unapproachable glory.”

From the troparion (the major hymn) of this day:  Commanders of the heavenly hosts, we who are unworthy beseech you, by your prayers encompass us beneath the wings of your immaterial glory, and faithfully preserve us who fall down and cry to you:  “Deliver us from all harm, for you are the commanders of the powers on high!

From the kontakion (the secondary hymn) of this day:  Commanders of God’s armies and minsters of the divine glory, princes of the bodiless angels and guides of mankind, ask for what is good for us, and for great mercy, supreme commanders of the Bodiless Hosts.

From the Small Compline’s Canon to the Guardian Angel:  O guardian of my lowly soul, do not depart from guarding and encircling me, and with the rush of raging demons, also suspend each of their ferocious attacks set against me; for in you do I have fervent protection.  O holy angel of God, intercede on my behalf.

What are we to gather from all of this?  Our guardian angel guides us to God and guards us that we may remain in faith and attain eternal union with God, and also to have knowledge of his unapproachable light.  They are guardians of our souls and bodies.  They guard us from both physical and spiritual danger — even from demonic attack. They intercede before God on our behalf as they pray for what is good for us.

Perhaps we can call the angels God’s secret service agents.  We are likely unaware of their activities in our lives.  We may encounter them in disguise having encountered them unknowingly.  In any liturgical service of the Church there are some present with us, though we do not see them.

Some are aware of certain angelic activity in their lives.  I likely had my angel’s protection on two occasions.  The one of which I have some degree awareness and certainty occurred about the year 1980.  At the time, I was driving with a fraternity brother along the main highway between Pullman, WA and Moscow, ID.  A number of police vehicles surrounded two or three cars.  We were both wondering what was taking place.  My distraction caused me to inadvertently move to the right.  But we received protection from plummeting down a 15 to 20 foot drop off the side of the main highway.  Somehow the steering wheel was turned properly and my car did a 180 degree turn on the shoulder of the road (just like Chuck Norris would have done!). It would have meant our deaths had not this protection taken place.

I am in awe and struck by the ways in which we are protected and guided.  Most importantly and directly we may call upon the Triune God to protect us both physically and spiritually:  “Do not forsake, me O LORD!  O my God, be not far from me!  Make haste to help me, O LORD, my salvation!  (Psalm 38/37: 21-22).  We may call upon the saints, and especially the Mother of God — the Queen Mother — who is seated at her Son’s right hand “arrayed in golden robes all glorious” and there intercedes for us:

Steadfast Protectress of Christians, constant advocate before the Creator; despise not the entreating cries of us sinners, but in your goodness come speedily to help us who call on you in faith.  Hasten to hear our petition and to intercede for us, O Theotokos, for you always protect those who honor you!

Also, we also have each other.  All the faithful — not just the clergy — may call on one another to guide, direct, for support, and pray for one another.

We thus can see that all work together for our salvation.  We have a communion with all parties involved in our salvation:  God, the saints, and the holy angelic beings are all gathered around us in the Divine Liturgy and services of the Church.  And they are with us in every moment of our lives.  Let us continue, or begin, to ask our guardian angels to guide and protect us.  I repeat this:  “They never abandon us and they are always prepared to help us, if we desire it.”

In Christ,

Fr Irenaeus