Icon with the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel - embroidered, framed, 25x31cm.
In the Byzantine calendar, on November 8th, we celebrate the Synaxis of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel, the celestial assembly of all heavenly powers. On this day, not only the two Holy Archangels are honored, but also all angelic hosts that have not separated from God.
The angelic world was created by God out of nothing, before anything else and outside His essence. The biblical text of creation does not explicitly reveal the moment of the creation of angels.
Dionysius the Areopagite, in his thinking, divides the hierarchy of angels into nine orders, arranged in three overlapping groups: Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones; Dominions, Virtues, Powers; Principalities, Archangels, Angels.
The Church has accepted and represented this hierarchy in its paintings.
Angels, being bodiless, do not marry, do not multiply (Matthew 22:30), and do not die (Luke 20:35-36). They communicate their thoughts and decisions to each other without using words. However, to fulfill their service, they can take human form (2 Kings 6:17), speak, eat, appear in clothing, and sometimes with wings (Genesis 32:25; Luke 24:4; Matthew 28:3; Revelation 14:6).
In his work "Celestial Hierarchy", Dionysius of Furna mentions the Holy Archangels, noting that when they are represented together, they are depicted as young, with their heads uncovered and their hair tied with a white ribbon around their neck.
Saint Archangel Michael
Saint Archangel Michael, in Hebrew means "Who is like God?". He shouted: "Let us be attentive, we, who are creatures, to what Lucifer, who was among us, suffered: he, who was light, now has turned into darkness. Who is like God?"
And thus, the synaxis, that is, the gathering and union of all angels, was established.
He is the one who guided Lot and his family out of Sodom, offered special protection to the people of Israel. He brought out the three youths from Babylon, supported Gideon in battle, rebuked the sorcerer Balaam, and released the Holy Apostle Peter from prison. According to Scripture, all the dead will rise from their graves at the sound of the trumpet of the Holy Archangel Michael.
In icons, Archangel Michael is depicted holding a sword of fire in his hand, a symbol of punishment for sin. He is mentioned in the Old Testament as being present especially when God punishes injustice, thus being considered an angel of divine justice.
Saint Archangel Gabriel
Saint Archangel Gabriel, in Hebrew means "man of God". His name announces that God will be born as a man and will assume human nature.
He announced to the Holy Parents Joachim and Anna the birth of the Mother of God, revealed to Zacharias the birth of the Forerunner. He showed the shepherds the birth of the Child. He strengthened Joseph, the betrothed of Mary, not to doubt anything, guided the Holy Family to Egypt, and brought the news of the Resurrection of the Lord to the myrrh-bearing women.
Archangel Gabriel is depicted holding in his hand a globe with inscriptions in Greek that translate to "Christ is the beginning and the end". The staff he carries in his hand represents the authority received from God as His messenger.
