Synaxis of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel and the other Incorporeal and Heavenly Angelic Orders
Date of celebration: 08/11
According to the Holy Bible, angels are sent by God in a visible form (angels are invisible good spirits close to God) in important historical circumstances, when some great divine will is to be manifested or executed.
The relationship, now, that angels have with God and people, as well as their mission, we also see in the Holy Bible. And especially, in Psalms 33, v. 8 and 90, verse 10-12, and in the New Testament, Matt. th’ verse 10, as well as in the letter to the Hebrews, chapter 1 verse. 14, where the author exclaims: “Do not all liturgical spirits sent to ministry for those to come inherit salvation?”. That is, are not all angels ministering spirits, who act not of their own initiative, but are sent by God to minister to those who are to inherit eternal life?
At the head of the angelic forces are the archangels Michael and Gabriel. Michael is found in the Old Testament. e.g. when Abraham is about to sacrifice Isaac, Joshua, Elijah, Lot, to save him when God decided to destroy Gomorrah, the Patriarch Jacob, the prophet Barlaam and others. Michael was also the one who led the people of Israel to escape from Egypt. Gabriel is found in the New Testament, as in the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary and others. In memory, then, of the missions and the work performed by the angels, our Church designated the feast of November 8.
