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Iconography of the Archangels
Nine ranks of the heavenly hierarchy
The words “angel” and “archangel” are used by Dionysius the Areopagite in his treatise “On the Heavenly Hierarchy” when he talks about the nine ranks. The heavenly hierarchy has three degrees, and in each degree there are three ranks:
- Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones.
- Dominance, Strength and Authority.
- Beginnings, Archangels and Angels.
The archangels who make up the eighth rank are senior to the ninth rank - the angels.
Saint Aristratigus Michael
The veneration of the Holy Archangel Michael in the Orthodox Church goes back to ancient times. From the Holy Scriptures we know that the Lord placed the holy Archangel Michael over all nine angelic ranks. This is an angel possessing extraordinary spiritual power, the leader of the heavenly army. His name means “who is like God.” He was the first to rebel against Satan when he rebelled against God and was cast out of heaven. Therefore, Michael is considered the supreme archangel and is called the archangel.
Michael is depicted in a warlike form, with a spear or fiery sword in his hand, and a defeated spirit of evil under his feet. The white banner adorning the top of his spear symbolizes purity and loyalty to the Heavenly King. The cross with which the spear ends means that the battle with the kingdom of darkness and victory over it is accomplished in the name of the Cross of Christ with the help of patience, humility and self-sacrifice.
A huge role is assigned to the archangel in the days of future trials described in the Revelation of John the Theologian. Archangels Michael and Gabriel, at the direction of God, will blow the horn and call people to the Last Judgment. Archangel Michael and his army will help righteous people during the period of upcoming persecution under the Antichrist.
He is the patron saint of warriors fighting for a just cause, the protector of Orthodox Christians from visible and invisible enemies and evil spirits. Archangel Michael is a merciful petitioner for human souls before God.
Saint Archangel Gabriel
Second place in the Arkhangelsk series belongs to the Archangel Gabriel. The name Gabriel means “the strength of God,” or “the power of God.” This archangel is sent by the Lord to announce to people the great deeds of God. Gabriel reveals the secret knowledge of the Creator: shows the secrets of the future to the prophet Daniel; brings the good news to the Most Holy Theotokos about the seedless conception of the Son of God and warns her of her imminent death. Announces to Zechariah the birth of his son, John the Baptist. He was sent to the Garden of Gethsemane to reinforce the Savior. This archangel taught the monk of the Athos Monastery the song of praise to the Mother of God “It is worthy to eat.”
Archangel Gabriel is called the servant of the miracles and mysteries of God, the bearer of the gospel.
The main part of the images of the Archangel Gabriel is associated with his function as an evangelist. Depending on the plot, the hands may hold a sphere, a rod, a branch or a scroll. He is depicted with a branch of paradise (lily) in his hands, which he brought to the Virgin Mary, and sometimes in his right hand with a lantern with a candle burning inside, and in his left hand with a mirror. The mirror symbolizes that Gabriel is the messenger of God’s destinies for the salvation of the human race, and the candle in the lantern means that God’s destinies are hidden until the time of their fulfillment and after their fulfillment, and are known only by those who delve into the word of God and listen to their conscience.
Archangel Raphael
According to legend, it was Raphael who brought King Solomon a magic ring with a powerful six-pointed star carved on it, and Solomon used this ring and symbol to subdue demons. In the Holy Scriptures there is the Book of Tobit, dedicated to Raphael. He is mentioned as the comforter of the mourners. Archangel Raphael is a healer of human ailments, a guide. His name means “help”, “healing of God”, “healing of God”. He is considered the patron of Orthodox medicine. Archangels Raphael and Michael often work together. He is depicted holding a vessel with medical remedies in his left hand, and in his right hand a pod (clipped bird feather) for anointing wounds. There is an image with a large fish in his hand. This is a reference to the Book of Tobit - the archangel ordered Tobit to catch a fish, and then taught the young man how to use a fish gall bladder to cure his father’s blindness, and also to drive away the demon by burning the animal’s heart and liver.
Archangel Yehudiel
It was he who was sent by God to precede the Israelite people in the conquest of the land of Canaan. Translated from Hebrew, the name Yehudiel means “glorifying God,” “praise of God.” Archangel Jehudiel is the patron saint of ascetics and monastics, the glorifier of God, strengthening workers for the glory of God and interceding for reward for their exploits and labors. A mentor in work, an intercessor on the way, a helper to those in need of anything for the glory of God. Depicted as holding a golden crown in his right hand, and in his left hand a scourge of three black ropes, this means a reward from God to pious and holy people and punishment to sinners.
Archangel Salafiel
The Holy Church calls Archangel Salafiel the supreme minister of prayer. In the Book of Genesis, the Archangel Salafiel appeared to Hagar in the desert of Beersheba when Abraham drove her out. A person’s pure and fiery prayer protects the soul from hostile forces. But our prayers are weak and cold. Therefore, the Lord gave us prayer angels, with their leader Salafiel, to help and protect us, to teach us how, when and what to pray for, and to convey our requests to the Throne of God. Archangel Salafiel is depicted with his face and eyes bowed down, and his hands pressed with a cross on his chest, tenderly praying.
Archangel Barachiel
Archangel Barachiel is one of the three angels who appeared to Abraham in the oak grove of Mamre. He predicted the birth of Isaac to Abraham and Sarah and confirmed the promise of salvation given by God in Paradise to the entire human race in the person of Adam. The name Barachiel means “blessed by God,” “blessing of God.” This is the archangel of God's blessings - he intercedes, asks for God's mercy and blessings for people, so that they live in mental health and salvation. Barachiel is the patron saint of pious families, the guardian of the purity of soul and body. Through him, God's blessing is sent to every good deed, to every good activity in life. They are depicted as carrying white roses on their clothes, as a harbinger of bliss in the Kingdom of Heaven, and Barachiel himself is, as it were, a harbinger of bliss and endless peace in Heaven.
Archangel Uriel
Archangel Uriel serves the light of truth, enlightens the ignorant, instructs the lost, and motivates people to prayer. The name Uriel means “light, or fire of God.” He is depicted with a drawn sword in his right hand and a flame in his left. As an angel of light, he enlightens the minds of people with the revelation of truths; like an angel of divine fire, he inflames hearts with love for God and destroys impure earthly attachments in them. He was sent by God to Ezra to offer him three likenesses and show him three ways. “If you declare one of them to me, then I will show you the way - the path that you want to see, and I will teach you where the evil heart came from.”
Archangel Jeremiel
Archangel Jeremiel sends us good and kind thoughts, lifts souls to God, strengthens our faith and helps people see their vices and sins.
The name Jeremiel means “exaltation to God,” “height of God.” God sends the archangel Jeremiel to man to help his lost soul return to the Father. Jeremiel opens up the perspective of a sinful world, in which the further you go, the worse, but at the same time helps to see in it the holy seeds of eternal life. Share with your friends:
Mention of Archangel Michael in Holy Scripture and Tradition
The Bible teaches us that in addition to the physical universe, there is also a spiritual world where other God's creations - Angels - live.
Not only are they called to worship God at His throne, but the Lord sends them to serve people - those who “will inherit salvation” (Hebrews 1:14). Michael is one of the few Angels whose name is mentioned in the Holy Scriptures. In the Old Testament, his name appears several times in the Book of the Prophet Daniel. For example, when a heavenly messenger appeared to Daniel in answer to his prayers, and said that he could have come sooner if not for the opposition from “the prince of the kingdom of Persia,” in which he was helped by “one of the chief princes” Michael (Daniel 10:13 ).
In the New Testament, Jude Thaddeus speaks about him in his Epistle in verse 9. The Bible also says that the Archangel will play an important role during the Last Judgment, rising as a great prince who will stand for God's people (Daniel 12:1).
According to church tradition, before the creation of people, God created a huge number of angels and established a certain hierarchy between them. The highest among them, possessing the greatest strength, intelligence and beauty, was Dennitsa. But such a high position gave rise to pride in him, he wanted to become God and began to incite other angels to rebel against the Almighty. And then the remaining faithful to God cast down Dennitsa and other fallen ones (the devil and the demons subordinate to him) from Heaven. This army was led by Michael, who exclaimed before the battle, “Who is equal to God?” - this expression just explains the meaning of the name of the Archangel, translated from Hebrew.
The Fathers of the Church believe that Archangel Michael participated in other important events described in Scripture, but was simply not named. For example, he could be the pillar of fire that led the people of Israel out of Egypt and destroyed the hordes of Pharaoh in the Red Sea. It is also suggested that he is a cherub guarding paradise with a sword.
How does Archangel Michael help and protect from
The apocrypha mentions the following duties of the heavenly guard:
- meeting souls after death, preparing for entry into heaven and accompanying them to Heaven;
- protection of the righteous in times of oppression and persecution, on the Day of Judgment.
He protects every person from birth to death, keeps the Book of Life, in which he records all good and evil deeds.
Since Archangel Michael is the head of the army, he especially assists in military affairs, patronizes military personnel, soldiers who stand for the faith and truth of their land and state. But at the same time, it is believed that the image of the saint helps everyone who is related to the water element, primarily sailors. Therefore, it will largely protect those serving in the navy, so it will be a good gift for them. But it protects not only physical bodies, but also souls facing a choice of destiny, directing them to the righteous path. It is a symbol of hope and salvation, protecting the soul from evil intentions, filling it with faith and God's grace. The saint helps not only in the fight against external known and unknown enemies, but also against our internal ones, because we know that sinfulness exists within ourselves. When a person can learn to keep his mind under control, cleansing it of all sinful thoughts, then he will realize the true essence of evil, how to recognize and resist it, remaining faithful to the Lord and His holy commandments.
The icon of the Archangel Michael will protect the house from all troubles, illegal invasions, bandits and thieves, bad people and evil spirits, natural disasters, failures, grief and any visible and invisible type of evil.
If you are in one of the following situations, you need to contact the Archangel:
- you need healing from various types of illnesses;
- experiencing physical and mental illness;
- you are faced with choosing your true purpose, the right path in life;
- need help in military matters;
- are you planning to build new churches or restore destroyed ones;
- you are surrounded by enemies, you need protection from them;
- you are in difficulties, difficult life circumstances, and want to find a way out of them;
- there is an important event ahead, exams, a long journey;
- you feel fear, anxiety and doubt, and need strengthening of faith, courage and strength from God.
A person will be able to receive an answer to any of his prayers if he does not pursue only selfish goals, asks with all sincerity and does not remain inactive, but does everything in his power. At the same time, he must remain spiritually pure and righteous, because only through knowledge of his inner essence can he come closer to the knowledge of God.
