Oh, how deeply the Holy Angels love the human race! If only we knew how tirelessly they labour for our sake!
How greatly, then, should we honour and give thanks to these magnificent benefactors of ours!
For they intercede unceasingly for us before God, imploring Him to have mercy on us and save us from eternal damnation…
And beyond all this, they are always by our side, protecting and helping us in EVERYTHING!
— Saint Niphon of Constantiana ☦︎
🔸 November 8 - Synaxis of the Holy Archangels🪽🔸
Today, we commemorate the Synaxis of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel, and All the Bodiless Powers created by God to fulfil His will and guard the faithful. According to St Dionysios the Areopagite, the angels are divided into theee ranks, each divided into three groups. The highest rank is made up of the Seraphim, the Cherubim and Thrones. The middle rank is made up of Dominions, Hosts and Powers.
The final rank includes the Principalities, Archangels and Angels. God’s creation of the heavens in Genesis 1:1 gives us the first insight into the creation of the spiritual world, and by implication, the creation of the angels which inhabit it. The Book of Job confirms that the angels were already present when God created the starry skies: “When the stars were created, all My angels sang praises to Me” (Job 38:7). The Archangel Michael was appointed by the Lord as the Chief Commander of the Bodiless Powers.
He appears several times in in the Old Testament including: appearing to Joshua “as Commander of the army of the Lord” (Joshua 5:14); striking down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers who besieged Jerusalem (2 Kings 19:35); and coming to the aid of Daniel who writes, “behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me” (Daniel 10:13). The Archangel Michael is often depicted bearing a sword, leading the heavenly hosts into battle against the dark powers.
It was he who cast down from heaven the proud Lucifer and the other fallen angels who rebelled against God. As the Lord Himself says, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven” (Luke 10:18). This feast therefore celebrates the unity of the angels who remained faithful to God. The Archangel Gabriel is celebrated as the chief messenger of God, bringing glad tidings to humanity. He is especially honoured for announcing the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ to the Most Holy Theotokos.
He also foretold the birth of the Theotokos to Joachim and Anna, and appeared to Joseph the Betrothed assuring him the Child was conceived by the Holy Spirit. He also announced Christ’s Resurrection to the Myrrh-bearing women (Matthew 28:5-7).