To the Heavenly Powers of the Ethereal
Troparion, tone 4
Audio:
Heavenly armies of the Archangels, / we always pray to you, we are unworthy, / with your prayers protect us / with the blood of your immaterial glory, / keeping us diligently and crying: / from deliver us from troubles, // like the heads of the Highest Powers.
Translation: Heavenly armies of the Archangels, we, unworthy ones, continually pray to you, that you protect us with your prayers under the roof of the wings of your immaterial glory, preserving us, who fall diligently and cry: “Deliver us from troubles, as the leaders of the Highest Powers!”
Kontakion, tone 2
Audio:
Archangels of God,/ servants of the Divine glory,/ leaders of angels, and teachers of men,/ ask for what is useful for us, and great mercy,// like the Bodiless Archangels.
Translation: Archangels of God, servants of the Divine Glory, leaders of angels and mentors of people, ask us for what is useful and great mercy, as the disembodied Archangels.
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Canon to the Bodiless Heavenly Powers (Archangels and Angels), tone 4.
All canons
Troparion, tone 4:
Heavenly armies of the Archangels, / we constantly pray to you, unworthy ones, / with your prayers protect us / with the blood of your immaterial glory, / preserving us, falling diligently and crying: / deliver us from troubles, / like the officials of the Highest Powers.
Canon by the disembodied holy angel. Voice 4.
Song 1
Irmos: Tristates strong, Be born of the Virgin, dispassion in the depths, flood the tripartite soul, I pray that you, as in the tympanum, in the mortification of the body, will sing a victorious song.
Chorus: All Heavenly Powers without flesh, pray to God for us.
As the minds of purity, Angels, the Great and the First, are about to be filled with the Mind and the Divine radiance, illumine me with your rays, singing the all-guilty Word of glory. [Twice.]
Glory: Having bowed to God with love, and imagining the Divine goodness in reality, O Archangels of glory, standing diligently, calling a victorious song to the Creator.
And now, the Mother of God: Who alone received the Word in her womb, Whose angelic hosts glorify evermore, illumine my soul, solving the sinful dark thoughts of the All-Immaculate One, and enlightening with reason Your Christmas.
Song 3
Irmos: From the heights you descended by will to the earth, above every beginning, and you lifted up the humble human nature from hell from the netherworld: nothing is more holy than You, O Lover of Mankind.
Even though Christ is glorified by the worldly faces, with the rite of those faithful hymns he created with wisdom, in the Word: there is nothing holy more than you, Lover of mankind. [Twice.]
Glory: Warm love, zealous affection communing with the first source of the servant, singing silently, is the one being of the beginningless Divinity, the Divine Archangels.
And now, the Mother of God: Evin’s ancient oath, having given birth to Christ, the Pure Mother, you most brightly resolved, crowning all with blessings: there is no way, O Most Pure One, unless You are a Helper.
Sedalen, voice 8.
Heavenly rulers and high-altitude and terrible / Divine glory to Michael and Gabriel Archangels, / Chief angels, with all the Bodiless, / O servant of the Master! / Praying unceasingly for peace, / ask for the forgiveness of our sinners, / and find mercy and grace on the day of judgment.
Glory, even now, to the Mother of God: God-gracious, Pure, Blessed, / for the sake of goodness for the sake of the bounty of You born / with the highest Powers, and the Archangels, and all the Bodiless, pray unceasingly / give us before the end forgiveness of sins / and correction of life is gracious, so that we may find mercy .
Song 4
Irmos: Seated in glory on the throne of the Divine, the Divine Jesus came in a light cloud with an imperishable hand, and those who saved us called: Glory, O Christ, to Thy power.
With incomprehensible power you brought heavenly minds from non-existence, the pre-existent word of God, and with your ineffable glory you adorned them, calling: Glory, O Christ, to your power .
Ruled by the highest powers of the spirit, and its ruts, and the Divine dawns, the unfading ranks of your inheritor, the one who honors the beginning and the Divinity more than all.
Glory: To behold Thy kindness red, Thy servants have been honored with Thy lordship, and from the depths of understanding they have received, They cry out to Thee: Glory, O Christ, to Thy power.
And now, the Mother of God: the Virgin Queen, adorned with a golden robe, now stands before the Son of the King, who is beyond comparison an angel who is greater than those who call: glory, O Christ, to Thy power.
Song 5
Irmos: Today I will rise, God spoke prophetically, today I will be glorified, today I will be ascended, having fallen received from the Virgin, and I will lift up My Divinity to the intelligent Light.
They reverently glorify the Cherubim, and the Seraphim, from the Thrones, and the Divine Archangels, and the Dominions, and the Powers, and the Principalities, and the powers from the Angels, the one honest and trinity Deity. [Twice.]
Glory: The angels appeared radiantly, O Christ, Your Resurrection preaching in the world to like-minded women, and shaking the minds of Your enemies with the brilliance of Your Divinity.
And now, the Mother of God: Now preserve the militia of the Arkhangelsk Your Church, glorifying You with Orthodox voices, who was ineffably born of the Virgin, and delivered people from aphids.
Song 6
Irmos: I came into the depths of the sea, and a storm of many sins drowned me: but as God raised up my life from the depths, O Great Merciful.
Around the Lord the angelic host is coming, and purely enjoying the radiance of the beginning of light, enlighten you who sing with faith. [Twice.]
Glory: By Your wisdom you created the faces of Angels, the Dominions and the Powers, and the Seraphim, as the Lord showed you, honoring You with praises.
And now, the Mother of God: As on the exalted thrones, Christ, resting, and observing all divine providence, you rested on the virgin hand of the Lord.
Kontakion, voice 2:
Archangels of God, / servants of the Divine glory, / leaders of angels and teachers of men, / ask for what is useful for us and great mercy, / like the Bodiless Archangels.
Ikos:
Thou art, O Lover of mankind, in Thy writings / the multitude of Angels in Heaven rejoice / in the one repentant man, the Immortal. / Moreover, we, who are in iniquity, are sinless, / are the only ones who know the heart, / we always dare to pray to you, like the good-hearted one, / to show mercy and send down tenderness to the unworthy, O Lord, / grant us forgiveness: / for all We pray to You, the Bodiless Archangels.
Song 7
Irmos: Three young men in Babylon, turning the tormentor’s command into violence, in the midst of the flames crying out: Blessed are you, the Lord God our father.
Witnesses to what we have done, mental angels, let us choose a pure life, my soul, crying out: Blessed are you, the Lord God of our fathers. [Twice.]
Glory: Cleansed with coal, the seraphim who stand before your throne see the Divine cry of Isaiah: Blessed are you, the Lord God our father.
And now, the Mother of God: The ranks of all the bodiless, O Virgin, are clearly superior, as having given birth to the Creator and the Lord: blessed, O Most Pure One, is the fruit of Your womb.
Song 8
Irmos: Redeemer of all, O All-Powerful One, in the midst of the flame of the pious, He descended and watered You, and taught You to sing: Bless all your deeds, sing to the Lord.
Like this immortal life, you created the angels to partake of the immortal life, and taught you to sing: bless, sing to the Lord. [Twice.]
Glory: The Archangels are present in their minds, their voices sing unceasingly, Godfully honoring You as the Lord of all: bless, sing to the Lord.
And now, the Mother of God: By law, depict the image of Thee, the All-Blessed One, who gave birth to God, the things of flesh are united, the previously immaterial being by the Divine nature: let us bless, O Virgin, Thy Nativity.
Song 9
Irmos: The hidden things of God, ineffable, are accomplished in You, a manifest sacrament, Most Pure Virgin: for God was incarnate from You for mercy. Moreover, You, as we magnify the Mother of God.
Even the mind of the parent, and the offerer of the Son and the Spirit, the Angels singing, now to us the Divine grace of alms, diligently receive and be diligent in sending. [Twice.]
Glory: Redly fertilized with incorruption by gift and grace, Divine Archangels, You, the Source of Christ, are ever-present with incorruptibility, singing as they magnify the Benefactor.
And now, the Mother of God: Bride of the incarnation of the ineffable, and the animated palace, and the ark of the law of grace of Thee, the Mother of God, the faithful of the Svema: even so we unceasingly magnify Thee.
Prayer to the Heavenly Powers of the Bodiless
Oh, Holy Incorporeal powers: Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones and Powers, Dominions, Powers and Principalities, Archangels and Angels, who are constantly burning with love for the Lord and Creator, and who want to be saved for all of us, standing at the Throne of the Almighty and constantly crying out the thrice-holy hymn to Him, for the sake of manifestations of God's love and unspeakable mercy towards people, sending His good and all-perfect will to those who do. Look mercifully at us sinners and do not be disgusted by our defilements, but pray to the Lord Jesus Christ, that we may not perish in the abyss of our iniquities, but may come to the quiet haven of salvation. Cover us with your immaterial wing from all enemies, visible and invisible, so that we too may be worthy to glorify the All-Good Christ our God, to whom befits glory together with His Beginning Father and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.
To the only Archangel
Troparion, tone 4
O heavenly armies of the Archangel,/ we always pray to you, we are unworthy,/ with your prayers protect us/ with the blood of your immaterial glory,/ preserving us, who fall diligently and cry out:/ from troubles. You are // like the chief of the Supreme Powers.
Translation: Archangel of heavenly armies, we, unworthy ones, continually pray to you, that you protect us with your prayers under the roof of the wings of your immaterial glory, preserving us, who fall diligently and cry out: “Deliver us from troubles, as the chief of the Highest Powers!”
Kontakion, tone 2
Archangel of God,/ servant of the Divine glory,/ leader of angels, and teacher of men,/ ask for what is useful for us, and great mercy,// like the bodiless Archangel.
Translation: Archangel of God, servant of the Divine Glory of the Angels, leader and mentor of people, ask for useful things and great mercy for us, as the disembodied Archangel.
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Who is the Holy Archangel Jehudiel
In Orthodox Christianity, Yehudiel is considered one of the seven archangels of the Most High. It is noteworthy that his name has not been mentioned in Catholicism since the mid-17th century. This is due to the fact that information about this archangel is not found in either the Old or New Testaments of the Holy Scriptures, just like Barachiel.
The first mention of this archangel is found in the Revelations of Amadeus of Portugal, a monk who lived in the 15th century. In the Russian Orthodox Church, the name of one of the soldiers of the Heavenly Army was included in the Lives of the Saints by Dmitry of Rostov. This is how the Archangel Jehudiel appeared on the list of saints revered by the Orthodox Church and prayed to in certain situations.
The name Jehudiel is translated from ancient Hebrew as “He who glorifies God.” During that period of history, when the Israelites wandered through the desert for 40 years, the Lord sent His archangel to them as a Heavenly patron. This same servant of the Most High was sent to the Jews at the moment when they were leaving Egypt, he appeared before them in the form of a pillar of fire. When Moses ascended the mountain after a 40-day fast, the Lord appeared to him and promised to send an angel ahead of the Israeli people who would protect the people of God.
On icons, Jehudiel is depicted with a whip in one hand and a crown in the other. A crown of gold is considered a symbol of rewards from the Almighty, which he bestows on those who serve him faithfully. People also receive rewards after death, for their godly lives and good deeds. The whip that the archangel holds consists of three black ropes. This is a symbol of the punishment that will overtake every person who was lazy during his lifetime to engage in godly deeds. In addition, the whip is a symbol of the weapon with which Jehudiel drives away enemies from those who serve the Creator.
In Orthodoxy, it is believed that the archangel is the patron and protector of those who consciously renounced worldly pleasures and devoted themselves to serving God and preaching His Word. Jehudiel and the angels subordinate to him are always ready to come to the aid of monks and priests and give practical advice in difficult situations.
In addition, the warrior of the Heavenly Army patronizes people who occupy high government positions; he has long been called the protector of judges and kings. Therefore, ordinary people rarely turn to him, and he is less known among Orthodox Christians than other saints.
Prayers to Yehudiel are read in the following cases:
- to combat idleness and sinful thoughts that overcome a person serving God;
- for the blessing of people who selflessly do good to their neighbors;
- for help in leading a large team.
Guardian Angel
Troparion, tone 6
Angel of God,/ my holy guardian,/ keep my life in the fear of Christ God,/ confirm my mind in the true path,/ and wound my soul to the love of heaven,/ that we may be guided by you,// I will receive from Christ God great mercy.
Translation: Angel of God, my holy guardian, guard my life in reverence before Christ God, establish my mind on the true path, and inflame my soul with love for heaven, so that, guided by you, I may receive great mercy from Christ God.
Prayers to all saints and Ethereal heavenly forces for help and health
Reading prayers addressed to saints and Ethereal heavenly angels carry enormous divine power and can help in any trouble.
Each believer decides for himself when to start reading prayers to all the saints. It is important to remember that such prayers cannot be performed every day. The words of prayer addressed to the heavenly Ethereal forces, like all others, must come from the very heart at those moments when we especially need support or on days specially designated for this. Every year on June 10 the Orthodox Church celebrates All Saints Day. On this significant date, every person should offer words of prayer to all the saints and heavenly angels in order to receive support in difficult times, to be healed and to make their life better.
Why do they pray to heavenly powers?
Life can never be smooth sailing. Every Christian faces difficulties, and there are times when we especially need help from higher powers. These could be problems in the family, at work, debts, loans. Many Orthodox believers pray to all the saints and the Ethereal powers for health and healing.
When the realization comes that all the failures and troubles of people are given from above, as retribution for sinful acts, Christians begin to go to church, turn to the clergy, pray fervently, and some even donate to charity. But when the bad streak ends, people, as a rule, begin to live in grand style again, making all the same mistakes and sins, forgetting about gratitude to the Lord.
One should never offer words of prayer without sincerity and love for higher powers. You must not only believe that they will help you, but also try not to commit any more sinful acts, and be sure to thank the heavenly powers and saints for their help. Learn to turn to them not only in difficult times, but also when you are happy. Anyone who sincerely offers words of prayer will always be heard and angels will come to the rescue at any moment.
Prayers to saints and angels for help
Of course, in the life of even the most believing and righteous person there are bad days when no one except higher powers can help. Then people offer prayers to all the saints and ethereal powers for help and support, which will certainly help them get through this difficult time:
“Oh, great Saints and heavenly angels! I turn my prayer to you. Do not leave me without your divine help. Protect from evil, protect from troubles and misfortunes. Take away my grief and failures from life. May I be devoted to you until the end of my earthly life. Yes, I believe in your immeasurable strength. Bless me and forgive me for all my sins. May I thank you for peace in the whole world and peace in my soul. May the will of our Father be done. Amen. Amen. Amen".
Prayers to the Ethereal Heavenly Forces for health
The Archangel will always come to the aid of true believers in difficult times. Do not forget to turn to divine powers not only in difficult times, but also on joyful days when your soul is warm. Be grateful for all the help of the angels, and you will never be left without the support of the Ethereal forces of heaven.
“Oh, most holy Archangel! Honor me with your precious attention and heavenly power. Destroy all the evil in me, heal my sinful soul, take away all bodily pain. Help me cope with the ailments that devour my flesh, and drive out all the demons that have settled in my sinful soul. Forgive me for my sins and give me divine blessing. Do not let me lose heart, strengthen my righteous faith. May I praise You, O great Archangel! In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen".
Brief prayers to the Heavenly Ethereal forces
- Oh, heavenly powers Seraphim, show me a worthy path to the heart of the Lord.
- Most Holy Powers of the Ethereal Thrones, reward me with wisdom similar to the Lord.
- Heavenly powers, holy Cherubim angels, protect me from false truth, and show me where the truth is hidden.
- Holy angels of the Lord, grant me the honor to be above evil and sorrow, and help me find happiness.
- Oh, heavenly powers, Ethereal Powers, reward me with the courage and bravery of God.
It doesn’t matter what kind of prayer you offer to the powers of heaven and to all the saints, the most important thing is to carry the words from the bottom of your heart and from the very depths of your soul. Love the Lord, thank the heavenly powers for everything that is good in your life, and never forget the kindness of the angels and archangels. We wish you happiness, long life and good health. Good luck,
"Heavenly Armies of the Archangel"
Cathedral of the Archangel Michael and other ethereal Heavenly Powers. Refectory of the Dionysiates Monastery on Mount Athos
The history of the Church knows many worthy people, whose exploits and virtues visibly testified to their holiness. Over the past millennia, hundreds of righteous people of piety of the Old and New Testaments have been canonized. Among all the saints, the host of the incorporeal Heavenly army stands out.
On November 8/21, the entirety of the Church honors the memory of the Council of the Archangel Michael and other ethereal heavenly powers. According to Saint Philaret (Drozdov),
“The earthly council has now solemnly assembled to give honor to the Heavenly Council, the council of men has gathered to sing the praises of the Council of Angels”[1].
And indeed, the angelic powers are revered by the people of God for their speedy intercession before the Heavenly Father. This holiday gained special love in Rus', where temples and monasteries were built in honor of the Heavenly Forces, icons were painted, and even entire settlements and large cities were named, for example Arkhangelsk.
Even in ancient times, Angels were considered messengers, heralds of God's will[2]. In the New Testament, the good news, reporting about past or future events, was brought precisely by Heavenly powers. Archangel Gabriel announced to the Virgin Mary the birth of the Savior of the world from Her (see: Luke 1: 28–33). The shepherds heard the news of the Nativity of Christ from an Angel and the Heavenly Host, singing: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (see: Luke 2: 8-15). Two Angels in shining robes testified to the Resurrection of Christ to the myrrh-bearing women (see: Matt. 28: 1–8; Mark 16: 1–8; Luke 24: 4–7; John 20: 11–13).
The worship of the Heavenly powers in the first centuries of Christianity was so great that many began to incorrectly regard them as the creators and rulers of the universe, turning their veneration into idolatry. However, the fathers of the Council of Laodicea (about 343 AD)[3] condemned this heretical teaching and established Orthodox veneration of the angelic ranks[4].
Over time, the celebration of the Council of the Archangel Michael and other ethereal heavenly forces was established on November 8 according to the old style, that is, on the eighth day of the ninth month[5]. The chosen day pointed to the eschatological “eighth day,” the day of the Last Judgment, when “the Son of Man will come in His glory and all the holy angels with Him” (Matthew 25:31), and the ninth month of the year symbolized the nine ranks of angels: seraphim, cherubim, thrones, dominions, powers, authorities, principles, archangels, angels[6].
Troparion is a short text that succinctly tells the main meaning of the celebrated event. The troparion for the feast of the Council of the Archangel Michael and other disembodied heavenly powers is consonant with the general troparion “To the One Archangel.” It focuses on the heavenly messengers known by name - the Archangels. It sounds like this:
“Heavenly armies of the Archangels, we always pray to you, unworthy ones, and with your prayers protect us with the shelter of the wings of your immaterial glory, preserving us, falling diligently and crying out: deliver us from troubles, like the rulers of the Highest Powers”[7].
For a better understanding of this text, Archpriest Vladimir Uspensky made the following translation of the troparion into Russian, using which we will analyze as an example:
“Heavenly commanders! We, the unworthy, constantly beg you that with your prayers you protect us with the cover of your intercession - your immaterial (incorporeal) glory, protecting us, who diligently fall before you and cry out: deliver us from disasters, like the leaders of the highest powers! "[8]
Archangels of the Heavenly Hosts
First of all, the troparion tells us that we are addressing the Archangels, who are here called archangels. In the Church Slavonic language, archistratigs were considered the leaders of the angelic army[9]. Father Vladimir translates this word as “military leaders.”
Before our eyes appears the image of a countless courageous host of angelic ranks, at the head of which stand the Archangels of God, ready to lead the Heavenly regiments into a righteous battle with the forces of the prince of demons.
Angels Prayer
“Protect us with your prayers” - despite the fact that Angels do not have a physical form, and their nature cannot be comprehended by the human mind, we all believe that they are intercessors before the Creator for sinful people. They, as servants of the Divine Glory, are closest to the Throne of God and pray to the Lord to have mercy on His constantly sinning creations.
Orthodox doctrine says that each person has his own Guardian Angel, a personal intercessor to whom a person can turn in both sorrow and joy for intercession before God[10].
Incorporeality and wings
In addressing the Archangels, we ask to cover us with the veil of their “immaterial glory.”
In Archpriest Vladimir Uspensky we see the word “incorporeal.” In liturgical texts and the works of the holy fathers, Angels are spoken of as disembodied spirits, which in turn is based on the words of Christ: “a spirit has not flesh and bones” (Luke 24:39).
The wings of disembodied Angels are an allegory symbolizing speed and penetration
In the Church Slavonic text of the troparion there is a precise indication of the presence of wings in the Angelic forces: “with blood the wing of your immaterial glory.” It is significant that Father Vladimir omitted this detail when translating into Russian. However, if you know about the incorporeal essence of Angels, it becomes clear that there can be no talk of any wings, because incorporeal Angels are not subject to the laws of physics. Holy Scripture testifies that often God's messengers appeared in the guise of people, and not winged creatures, although there are references to them in the Old Testament. Wings are an allegory symbolizing speed and penetration[11].
Leaders of the Highest Powers
People’s prayer: “Deliver us from disasters, like the leaders of the highest powers!” – was previously considered as the potential ability of the Archangels to control some Heavenly forces. It was not without reason that in ancient times they believed that in prayers to the Archangels one could ask for “blessing of the air,” that is, good weather[12]. We cannot be sure that the Angelic forces have at least some power over the forces of nature, but we can say for sure: through their intercession, the Lord can control everything.
The entire troparion to Archangel Michael and other Heavenly powers suggests that human life is a constant struggle of man with the forces of evil, sin, and the devil. But don’t forget: we are not alone in this battle. The Lord sends all His Heavenly army, led by the Archangels of God, to help us. In this struggle between man and the devil’s temptations, the entire angelic world is on our side.
