@Κύριεἐλέησον.με
Designed for private reading.
Kontakion 1
Since the Holy Day of the Immateriality of Power, standing before the Throne of the Almighty and constantly crying out the thrice-holy hymn to Him, let us worthily please and praise you, our quick prayer books and intercessors in all our needs and sorrows, and with thanksgiving we cry out to you:
Rejoice , all holy, incorporeal powers.
Ikos 1
Since Sainthood, Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones and Powers, Dominions, Powers and Beginnings, Archangels and Angels, who constantly burn with love for the Lord and Creator, and who want to be saved for all of us, for this sake we dare to sing to you, sinners:
Rejoice , glorious Seraphim and Cherubim; Rejoice, victorious Thrones, Dominions and Powers. Rejoice, God-wise Powers and Principalities; Rejoice, most luminous Archangels and Angels who have existed from the beginning. Rejoice, steadfast servants of God; Rejoice, Lords of Christ, faithful friends. Rejoice, holy messengers of God; Rejoice, you too, holy Guardian Angel.
Rejoice , all holy, incorporeal powers.
Kontakion 2
“ to us, let us stand with the fear of God!” - You proclaimed, Archangel Michael, dragging with you the army of Heaven against the fallen Dennitsa and you crushed the proud one, for this sake we cry out to God: A liluia.
Ikos 2
O kind and fearless Governor of the Heavenly Host, Archangel Michael, you stand unshakably before the Throne of the King of Kings, burning with love for the Lord and helping us to overthrow all cowardice and pride, for this sake we cry out to you:
Rejoice , you who loudly proclaim the power of God; Rejoice, thou who deliverest thee from the insurances of the enemy. Rejoice, you wield the sword of zeal for God against the devil like a roaring lion; Rejoice, you who strike Satan with fear like thunder. Rejoice at those who slander the Name of the Lord and the servants of God will receive terrible vengeance; Rejoice, confirmation of the martyrs and confessors of Christ. Rejoice, for the sake of blessing those who were exiled by righteousness; Rejoice, Archangel Michael, our tenderness.
Rejoice , all holy, incorporeal powers.
Kontakion 3
Six -winged Seraphim, like stars radiant with the flame of love for the Creator, tirelessly burning, burn our passions, and let us cry out to God: A liluia.
Ikos 3
And the Seraphim, who still burn our sinful filth from afar and fill our hearts with love for God, for this reason we cry out to you:
Rejoice , you who deliver from hardness of heart; Rejoice, you who exude love and mercy. Rejoice, having strengthened repentant sinners through the forgiveness of God; Rejoice, you heal their spiritual wounds. Rejoice, for you are guardians in the fiery armor of God’s love in the firmament of Heaven, unshakably abiding; Rejoice, you who pray to God for peace and prosperity on earth. Rejoice, six-winged Seraphim; Rejoice, destroyers of hellish power.
Rejoice , all holy, incorporeal powers.
Kontakion 4
O many -reading Cherubim, filled with the power and wisdom of God, teach us true repentance, and let us cry out to God: Aleluia .
Ikos 4
And the Cherubim, who serve the mysteries of the Most Holy Trinity and teach us the knowledge of God, for this reason we cry out to you:
Rejoice , you who cut off false wisdom as with formidable axes cutting off the truth of God; Rejoice, propagators of humility. Rejoice, you who teach the wisdom of God; Rejoice, you who invisibly guard the eyes of your soul. Rejoice, as the heavenly chariots ascend to the knowledge of God; Rejoice, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts” who cry incessantly. Rejoice, many-eyed Cherubim; Rejoice, suppressors of all pride.
Rejoice , all holy, incorporeal powers.
Kontakion 5
O fiery Thrones, who incomprehensibly bear God Himself and servilely serve Him, strengthen us in the confession of the holy Orthodox faith, and let us cry out to God: A liluia.
Ikos 5
And the Thrones, the Heavenly Minds, have great boldness towards the Lord Almighty and help His justice to be accomplished, for this reason we cry out to you:
Rejoice , you who protect from laziness and negligence; Rejoice, destroyers of wickedness. Rejoice, you who teach the saving fear of God; Rejoice, blazing with firm divine zeal, like a formidable armor. Rejoice, for you have set up pillars of fire for the judgments of God; Rejoice, glorified by all the faithful. Rejoice, mighty Thrones; Rejoice, conquerors of all evil.
Rejoice , all holy, incorporeal powers.
Kontakion 6
“ Rejoice , full of grace, the Lord is with you!” - You preached to the Archangel Gabriel, the Lady Theotokos, the mystery of the incarnation of the Son of God, for this reason we cry out to God: A liluia.
Ikos 6
With the hidden secrets of God, Archangel Gabriel, you open the human race and fill our hearts with holy humility and spiritual joy, for this reason we cry out to you:
Rejoice , you who clothe yourself in humility as if you were wearing armor; Rejoice, you who partake of spiritual nobility. Rejoice, you who point out to ascend into the vaults of heaven through humility; Rejoice, you who served the human race with the gospel of the incarnation of God the Word to the Ever-Virgin Mary. Rejoice, drawn to the contemplation of the Uncreated Light; Rejoice, strengthening of the apostles of Christ. Rejoice, blessing of peacemakers; Rejoice, Archangel Gabriel, our tenderness.
Rejoice , all holy, incorporeal powers.
Kontakion 7
O God, for the manifestation of His love and mercy to people, you were sent, Archangel Raphael, to Tobias, and heal his father Tobit and Sarah from bodily and mental ailments, for this sake we cry out to the Most Holy Life-Giving Trinity: A liluia.
Ikos 7
And Archangel Raphael, you heal us from mental and physical illnesses and correct our hardened hearts with mercy, for this reason we cry out to you:
Rejoice , wonderful organizer of pious marriages; Rejoice, you who grant healing from illnesses and illnesses. Rejoice, thou who helpest works of mercy; Rejoice, for you protect us with a fiery shield from pride and voluptuousness. Rejoice, you who teach abstinence; Rejoice, joy of the unmercenaries of Christ. Rejoice, blessing of the merciful; Rejoice, Archangel Raphael, our tenderness.
Rejoice , all holy, incorporeal powers.
Kontakion 8
“ Which vessel will contain the path of the Most High?” - Thus, Archangel Uriel, you admonished Ezra, so that he might know the wisdom of God, for this reason we cry out to God: A liluia.
Ikos 8
With the light of God, Archangel Uriel, you enlighten us from the darkness of heresies and teach us the knowledge of the truth in Christ our Lord, for this reason we cry out to you:
Rejoice , thou who destroyest all wickedness, as if from a bow, with the arrows of the light of truth and the righteousness of God; Rejoice, thou who buildest the faithful in an honest and chaste life. Rejoice, thou who destroyest all bodily and spiritual fornication like lightning; Rejoice, thou who grantest victory over unbelief. Rejoice, affirmation in true Orthodoxy; Rejoice, wisdom of the saints of Christ. Rejoice, blessing of the pure in heart; Rejoice, Archangel Uriel, our tenderness.
Rejoice , all holy, incorporeal powers.
Kontakion 9
God sent you, Archangel Selafiel, to those perishing from the heat in the waterless desert Hagar and the youth, so that you could show them the way to the well and save them from a cruel death, for this reason we cry out to God: A liluia.
Ikos 9
true prayer to God, Archangel Selafiel, and call upon our neighbors to forgive according to the commandment of the Lord, for this reason we cry out to you:
Rejoice , you who clothed yourself in the armor of meekness against the prince of darkness; Rejoice, quenching the passionate fire of memory malice. Rejoice, you who show the image of God in your neighbor; Rejoice, you who adore compassion, long-suffering and forgiveness. Rejoice, protection from battles and peace; Rejoice, consolation of the venerables of Christ. Rejoice, blessing of the meek; Rejoice, Archangel Selafiel, our tenderness.
Rejoice , all holy, incorporeal powers.
Kontakion 10
The Lord of hosts spoke to His servant Moses: “My name is on him” - so you are to the Archangel Jehudiel, you are glorified by Him, for this reason we magnify you and honor your service to the people of Israel, as you marched before them to conquer the land of Canaan and we cry out to God: And liluia.
Ikos 10
The tireless zealot for the glory of God, Archangel Jehudiel, delivers from the passion of despondency and laziness and teaches you to righteously glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, for this reason we cry out to you:
Rejoice , like the morning star, enlightening from the darkness of despondency; Rejoice, thou who pierces and drives away lack of faith and lack of will from the servants of God, as with a sharp spear. Rejoice, through you we clothe ourselves with courageous sobriety; Rejoice, through you we are cleansed from evil suggestions and spiritual deception. Rejoice, glorious protector from the spirits of evil in high places; Rejoice, strong protector of the righteous. Rejoice, blessing to those who hunger and thirst for righteousness; Rejoice, Archangel Jehudiel, our tenderness.
Rejoice , all holy, incorporeal powers.
Kontakion 11
Blessings from God, Archangel Barachiel, you send to all the faithful for every good deed, so that we may learn deeds pleasing to God and cry out to God: A liluia.
Ikos 11
before the Lord Almighty, Archangel Barachiel, and protect us on all paths of salvation, for this reason we cry out to you:
Rejoice , thou who destroyest the ungodly golden calf; Rejoice, you who clothe yourself in the bright armor of non-covetousness. Rejoice, you who remind us to pray for the departed; Rejoice, thou who bestows spiritual joy upon all the faithful. Rejoice, wonderful patron of generous hosts; Rejoice, O Christ, wonderful trustee for the sake of fools. Rejoice, blessing to the poor in spirit; Rejoice, Archangel Barachiel, our tenderness.
Rejoice , all holy, incorporeal powers.
Kontakion 12
“ The Most High has weighed this age on the scales” - thus did You, Archangel Jeremiel, make Ezra aware of the vanity of this world, and cry out to God: A liluia.
Ikos 12
to repentance, so that we may be washed, as if by the rain, with repentant and contrite tears for our sins and move away from the sorrow of this corruptible world, for this sake we cry out to you:
Rejoice , bowing down to the repentant and saving cry for sins that opens Heaven; Rejoice, you who save us from fiery Gehenna. Rejoice, you who crush the madness of this world with the club of God’s providence; Rejoice, thou who fillest the mind with spiritual wisdom. Rejoice, the paths to the Lord have been corrected; Rejoice, exaltation of the prophets of God. Rejoice, blessing to those who weep; Rejoice, Archangel Jeremiel, our tenderness.
Rejoice , all holy, incorporeal powers.
Kontakion 13
O holy Heavenly army, we ask you, burdened with sins, that we may not perish in our iniquities, but pray to the Lord for us, that He may have mercy, and have mercy, and save us according to His great mercy, for this sake we cry out to Him: And liluia
This kontakion is said three times. Also Ikos 1st and Kondak 1st
Prayer
Oh , holy Immateriality of power, look mercifully at us sinners and do not abhor our defilements. But pray to the Lord Jesus Christ, that we may not perish in the abyss of our iniquities, but may come to a quiet haven of salvation. To Him belongs glory together with His Beginningless Father and the Holy Spirit forever. Amen.
Akathist to the Archangel of God Michael
Archangel of God Michael
Archangel Michael is one of the highest Angels, taking the closest part in the destinies of the Church.
Holy Scripture teaches us that, in addition to the physical, there is a great spiritual world inhabited by intelligent, good beings called Angels. The word "angel" in Greek means "messenger". The Holy Scripture calls them this because God often communicates His will to people through them. What exactly is their life in the spiritual world that they inhabit, and what is their activity - we know almost nothing, and, in essence, we are not able to understand. They live in conditions completely different from our material ones: there time, space and all living conditions have a completely different content. The prefix “archi” to some Angels indicates their more elevated service compared to other Angels. The name Michael means “Who is like God” in Hebrew. The Holy Scripture, telling about the appearance of Angels to various people, names only some of them by their own names - apparently, those who have a special mission in establishing the Kingdom of God on earth. Among them are the Archangels Michael and Gabriel, mentioned in the canonical books of Scripture, as well as the Archangels Raphael, Uriel, Salafiel, Jehudiel and Barachiel, mentioned in the non-canonical books of Scripture. Archangel Gabriel usually appeared to some righteous people as a messenger of great and joyful events concerning the people of God (Dan. 8:16, 9:21; Luke 1:19-26). In the book of Tobit, Archangel Raphael says about himself: “I am Raphael, one of the seven holy Angels who offer the prayers of the saints and ascend before the glory of the Holy One” (Tob. 12:15). From here arose the belief that there are seven Archangels in Heaven, one of which is Archangel Michael.
Archangel Michael in Scripture is called “prince”, “leader of the army of the Lord” and is depicted as the main fighter against the devil and all lawlessness among people. Hence his church name “Archangel”, i.e. senior warrior, leader. Thus, Archangel Michael appeared to Joshua as an assistant during the Israeli conquest of the Promised Land. He appeared to the prophet Daniel during the days of the fall of the Babylonian kingdom and the beginning of the creation of the Messianic kingdom. Daniel was predicted to receive help from the Archangel Michael to the people of God during the period of upcoming persecution under the Antichrist. In the Book of Revelation, Archangel Michael appears as the main leader in the war against the dragon-devil and other rebellious angels. “And there was war in Heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought against them, but they did not stand, and no place was found for them in Heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, the ancient serpent, called the devil and Satan.” The Apostle Jude briefly mentions Archangel Michael as the adversary of the devil. (Joshua 5:13; Dan.10, 12:1; Jude 1:9; Rev. 12:7-9; Luke 10:18).
In the spirit of Holy Scripture, some Church Fathers see Archangel Michael as a participant in other important events in the life of the people of God, where, however, he is not called by name. For example, he is identified with the mysterious pillar of fire that walked before the Israelites during their flight from Egypt and destroyed the hordes of Pharaoh at sea. He is also credited with the defeat of the huge Assyrian army that besieged Jerusalem under the prophet Isaiah. (Exodus 33:9, 14, 26-28; 2 Kings 19:35).
The Church reveres Archangel Michael as a defender of the faith and a fighter against heresies and all evil. On icons he is depicted with a fiery sword in his hand or a spear, overthrowing the devil. At the beginning of the 4th century, the Church established the feast of the “Council” (i.e., the assembly) of the holy Angels, led by Archangel Michael, on November 8th.
Recollection of the miracle of the Archangel Michael, which happened in Khoneh (Colossae) (IV)
In Phrygia, not far from the city of Hierapolis, in an area called Herotopa, there was a temple in the name of the Archangel Michael; A healing spring flowed near the temple. This temple was built by the zeal of one of the residents of the city of Laodicea in gratitude to God and the holy Archangel Michael for the healing of his dumb daughter with the water of the spring. Archangel Michael, appearing in a dream vision to the father of a mute girl, who had not yet been enlightened by Holy Baptism, revealed to him that his daughter would receive the gift of speech by drinking water from the spring. The girl actually received healing at the source and began to speak. After this miracle, the father and daughter and his entire family were baptized, and through the zeal of the grateful father, a temple was erected in honor of the Holy Archangel Michael. Not only Christians, but also pagans began to come to the source for healing; many of the pagans renounced idols and turned to faith in Christ. In the church of St. Michael the Archangel, a pious man named Archippus performed the service of sexton for 60 years. By preaching about Christ and the example of his godly life, he led many pagans to faith in Christ. In their anger at Christians in general, and primarily at Archippus, who never left the temple and was an exemplary servant of Christ, the pagans decided to destroy the temple and at the same time destroy Archippus. To do this, they connected two mountain rivers into one channel and directed their flow towards the temple. Saint Archippus fervently prayed to Archangel Michael to prevent disaster. Through his prayer, Archangel Michael appeared near the temple, who, with a blow of his staff, opened a wide cleft in the mountain and commanded the waters of the seething stream to rush into it. Thus the temple remained undamaged. Seeing such a wondrous miracle, the pagans fled in fear, and Saint Archippus and the Christians gathered at the temple glorified God and thanked the Archangel Michael for his help. The place where the miracle happened was called Khona, which means “hole”, “cleft”.
See also: “Memory of the miracle of the Holy Archangel Michael in Khoneh” as presented by St. Demetrius of Rostov.
Cathedral of the Archangel Michael and other ethereal Heavenly Powers
The celebration of the Council of the Archangel Michael of God and other disembodied Heavenly Powers was established at the beginning of the 4th century at the Local Council of Laodicea, which took place several years before the First Ecumenical Council. The Council of Laodicea, by its 35th canon, condemned and rejected the heretical worship of Angels as creators and rulers of the world and approved their Orthodox veneration. The holiday is celebrated in November - the ninth month from March (with which the year began in ancient times) - in accordance with the number of the 9 ranks of Angels. The eighth day of the month points to the future Council of all the Heavenly Powers on the day of the Last Judgment of God, which the holy fathers call the “eighth day,” for after this age, which runs in weeks of days, the “eighth day” will come, and then “the Son of Man will come in His Glory.” and all the holy angels with Him” (Matthew 25:31).
The Angelic ranks are divided into three hierarchies - highest, middle and lowest. Each hierarchy consists of three ranks. The highest hierarchy includes: Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones. Closest to all the Holy Trinity are the six-winged Seraphim (Flaming, Fiery) (Is. 6:2). They burn with love for God and encourage others to do so.
After the Seraphim, the many-eyed Cherubim stand before the Lord (Gen. 3:24). Their name means: outpouring of wisdom, enlightenment, for through them, shining with the light of knowledge of God and understanding of the mysteries of God, wisdom and enlightenment are sent down for true knowledge of God.
Behind the Cherubim stand the God-bearing Ones by grace given to them for service, the Thrones (Col. 1:16), mysteriously and incomprehensibly bearing God. They serve God's justice.
The average Angelic hierarchy consists of three ranks: Dominance, Strength and Authority.
Dominions (Col. 1:16) rule over the subsequent orders of Angels. They instruct God-appointed earthly rulers in wise governance. Dominions teach one to control one's feelings, tame sinful lusts, enslave the flesh to the spirit, dominate one's will, and overcome temptations.
The powers (1 Peter 3:22) do the will of God. They work miracles and send down the grace of miracles and clairvoyance to the saints of God. The forces help people to obey, strengthen them in patience, and bestow spiritual strength and courage.
Authorities (1 Pet. 3:22; Col. 1:16) have the power to subdue the power of the devil. They ward off demonic temptations from people, confirm ascetics, protect them, and help people in the fight against evil thoughts.
The lower hierarchy includes three ranks: Principalities, Archangels and Angels.
The principalities (Col. 1:16) rule over the lower Angels, directing them to fulfill Divine commands. They are entrusted with managing the universe, protecting countries, peoples, tribes. They began to instruct people to give everyone the honor due to their rank. They teach superiors to perform official duties not for the sake of personal glory and benefits, but for the sake of the honor of God and the benefit of their neighbors.
Archangels (1 Thess. 4:16) preach great and glorious things, reveal the secrets of faith, prophecy and understanding of the will of God, strengthen people's holy faith, enlightening their minds with the light of the Holy Gospel.
Angels (1 Peter 3:22) are closest to people. They proclaim God's intentions and instruct people to lead a virtuous and holy life. They protect believers, keep them from falling, raise the fallen, never leave us and are always ready to help if we wish.
All ranks of the Heavenly Forces bear the general name of Angels - in essence of their service. The Lord reveals His will to the highest Angels, and they, in turn, enlighten the rest.
Over all nine ranks, the Lord placed the holy Archangel Michael (his name translated from Hebrew as “who is like God”) - a faithful servant of God, for he cast down from Heaven the proud Lucifer with other fallen spirits. And to the rest of the Angelic Powers he exclaimed: “Let us take notice! Let us become good before our Creator and not think anything displeasing to God!” According to Church tradition, recorded in the service of Archangel Michael, he took part in many Old Testament events. During the Israelites' exit from Egypt, he led them in the form of a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Through him the Power of the Lord appeared, destroying the Egyptians and Pharaoh who were pursuing the Israelites. Archangel Michael protected Israel in all disasters.
He appeared to Joshua and revealed the will of the Lord to take Jericho (Joshua 5:13-16). The power of the great Archangel of God appeared in the destruction of 185 thousand soldiers of the Assyrian king Sennacherib (2 Kings 19:35), in the defeat of the wicked leader of Antiochus Iliodor and in protecting from the fire the three holy youths - Ananias, Azariah and Mishael, who were thrown into the oven to be burned for refusing to bow. idol (Dan.3:92-95).
By the will of God, the Archangel transported the prophet Habakkuk from Judea to Babylon to give food to Daniel, imprisoned in the den of lions (kontakion akathist, 8).
Archangel Michael forbade the devil to show the body of the holy prophet Moses to the Jews for deification (Jude 1:9).
Saint Archangel Michael showed his power when he miraculously saved a youth thrown into the sea by robbers with a stone around his neck off the coast of Athos (Athos Patericon).
Since ancient times, Archangel Michael has been glorified for his miracles in Rus'. In the Volokolamsk Patericon, the story of the Monk Paphnutius Borovsky is given from the words of the Tatar Baskaks about the miraculous salvation of Novgorod the Great: “But as Great Novgorod was never taken from the Hagarians ... sometimes, by God’s permission, it was a sin for our sake, the godless Hagaryan Tsar Batu captured the Russian land and burned and went to the New City and God and the Most Pure Mother of God covered it with the appearance of Michael the Archangel, who forbade him to go to it. He went to the Lithuanian cities and came to Kyiv and saw the great Archangel Michael written above the doors of the stone church and said to his prince, pointing with his finger: “Forbid me from going to Veliky Novgorod.”
Representations for Russian cities of the Most Holy Queen of Heaven were always carried out by Her appearances with the Heavenly Host under the leadership of the Archangel. Grateful Rus' sang the Most Pure Mother of God and Archangel Michael in church hymns. Many monasteries, cathedrals, palace and town churches are dedicated to the Archangel. In ancient Kyiv, immediately after the adoption of Christianity, the Archangel Cathedral was erected and a monastery was established. There are Archangel Cathedrals in Smolensk, Nizhny Novgorod, Staritsa, a monastery in Veliky Ustyug (beginning of the 13th century), and a cathedral in Sviyazhsk. There was no city in Rus' where there was not a temple or chapel dedicated to the Archangel Michael. One of the most important churches in the city of Moscow - the tomb temple in the Kremlin - is dedicated to him. The icons of the Chief of the Supreme Powers and his Cathedral are numerous and beautiful. One of them - the icon “Blessed Host” - was painted for the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin, where the holy warriors - Russian princes - are depicted under the leadership of the Archangel Michael.
The Archangels are also known from the Holy Scriptures and Holy Tradition: Gabriel - the fortress (power) of God, the herald and servant of Divine omnipotence (Dan.8:16; Luke 1:26); Raphael - God's healing, healer of human ailments (Tov.3:16, 12:15); Uriel - fire or light of God, enlightener (3 Ezra 5:20); Selaphiel is God’s prayer book, encouraging prayer (3Ezra 5:16); Jehudiel - glorifying God, strengthening those who work for the glory of the Lord and interceding for reward for their exploits; Barachiel is a dispenser of God’s blessing for good deeds, asking people for God’s mercy; Jeremiel - exaltation to God (3Ezra 4:36).
On the icons the Archangels are depicted in accordance with the type of their ministry:
Michael - tramples the devil underfoot, in his left hand he holds a green date branch, in his right hand - a spear with a white banner (sometimes a flaming sword), on which a scarlet cross is inscribed.
Gabriel - with a branch of paradise that he brought to the Blessed Virgin, or with a luminous lantern in his right hand and a jasper mirror in his left.
Raphael holds a vessel with healing potions in his left hand, and with his right he leads Tobiah, who is carrying a fish.
Uriel - in his raised right hand - a naked sword at chest level, in his lowered left hand - a “flame of fire”.
Selaphiel - in a prayer position, looking down, hands folded on his chest.
Jehudiel - holds a golden crown in his right hand, and a scourge of three red (or black) ropes in his shuitz.
Barachiel - there are many pink flowers on his clothes.
Jeremiel holds scales in his hand.
See also: “The Council of the Holy Archangel Michael and other disembodied heavenly powers” as presented by St. Demetrius of Rostov.
