Celebrate Michaelmas!

St. Michael the Archangel, Kiev Square, Ukraine

... or the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels! Wikipedia says this about the Archangel Michael, "He is one of the principal angelic warriors, seen as a protector against the dark of night, and the administrator of cosmic intelligence."* Um... understatement.

In Revelation 12 Michael and the angels of the Lord fight the dragon (Satan) and his angel followers ... in the final defeat. The deceiver is thrown out of heaven and then a loud voice cries out, "Now the salvation and the power and kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come for the accuser ... has been thrown down ... ! ... And, they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony ...." (12:10-11) If you could have anyone fight by your side in addition to Jesus (of course) St. Michael is a good choice.

A couple of years ago I took an iconography class where we painted an icon of St. Michael. Since then I have painted him over and over, wanting to listen to his voice and learn it. For the one he protects, his is a voice of hope and en-couragement and confidence. For the one against him, Michael's is a war cry that sounds his defeat. He has become an important player in my awareness of all that goes on in the heavenlies ... the protector against the dark of night and the one who sends messengers and warriors into the battle.

In the book of Daniel it is Michael who comes to the aid of Gabriel. It is because of Michael that Gabriel makes it through the war to Daniel delivering his message of hope and deliverance.

I find it an amazing thing to look back on the history of the Ukraine and see that above the city of Kiev stands this Archangel ... protecting, keeping ,fighting for its people. He stands above it on both ends of the square.

St. Michael the Archangel, Kiev Square, Ukraine

Do you see him on the other end, standing victorious upon the pillar? And, the people below ... under his protection, angel warriors sent by the Almighty to keep them.

Dr. Allen Ross says that one angel lifting one finger could defeat the enemies of God. That's an angel. What about an Archangel? We have the hosts of heaven keeping us under the protection of the blood of the Lamb. Praise be to God! Yes, praise be to God!

Lord, send your mighty angels to do battle for us and keep us in the powerful care of your hand.
In the Name ... Jesus ... Hashem ... AMEN.


*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michaelmas