Michael (archangel)

Michael, also called Archangel Michael or Michael the Taxiarch, is an archangel and the warrior of God in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In some Christian traditions, he is also honored as a saint. Early Jewish writings from the third and second centuries BC talk about Michael as the leader of all angels and archangels. He is especially known as the protector of the people of Israel.

In Christian teaching, Michael plays an important role. He is mentioned in the book of Revelation 12:7–12, where he fights a great battle with Satan. The book of the Epistle of Jude also tells a story where Michael and the devil argue over the body of Moses. Because of these stories, Michael is remembered as a strong and brave angel who stands up for what is right.

Old Testament and Deuterocanon

The Book of Enoch lists Michael as one of seven important angels, along with Uriel, Raguel, Raphael, Sariel, Gabriel, and Remiel. In the Book of Tobit, these angels are described as ready to serve before the glory of the Lord. Michael appears again near the end of the Book of Daniel, where he is called the great prince who protects the people of Israel.

In Jewish traditions, Michael is seen as the leader of all angels. He helps guide God's law and stands close to God’s throne. Michael also leads God’s heavenly armies and protects Israel. He helps those who follow God and guides good people when they pass away.

New Testament

The seven archangels are linked to the branches of the menorah, a special lampstand in the Temple. This idea comes from the Book of Revelation, which describes seven spirits of God.

Michael is named in Revelation 12:7–12, where he fights against Satan and sends him away from heaven. This shows an important moment when the story of Jesus begins, separating the New Testament from older Jewish traditions. In Luke, Jesus tells Peter that Satan wants to test the followers, but Jesus protects them.

Michael is also mentioned in the Epistle of Jude. The writer talks about how Michael argued with Satan over Moses’ body but did not speak badly about Satan. Instead, Michael said, “The Lᴏʀᴅ rebuke you!”

Judaism

In Jewish stories, Michael is seen as a helper and defender of the Jewish people. He sometimes had to fight with other angels, especially one named Samael, who was against Israel. Michael stepped in to help important Jewish leaders, like saving Abraham from a dangerous situation and stopping Isaac from being hurt. He also protected Jacob and helped the Jewish people when they left Egypt. Even though some leaders taught that people should pray only to God, Michael was still remembered as a special helper.

Gnosticism

In an old book called the Secret Book of John, found in special writings from Gnosticism, Michael is described as leading demons who helped another figure named Yaldabaoth create Adam. Michael is also mentioned with six other angel names: Uriel, Asmenedas, Saphasatoel, Aarmouriam, Richram, and Amiorps. A writer named Origen of Alexandria described Michael as looking like a lion in a special drawing called the Ophite Diagram.

Christianity

Early Christian views and devotions

From the second century onward, early Christians began to see Michael as the same as Jesus, especially in groups that were not part of the main Christian church. Books and writings from this time show this idea, like in the works of Pseudo-Cyprian, Epiphanius, and Tertullian.

Epiphanius described Michael as replacing a powerful angel who fell. After this angel left, Michael took over his role.

Byzantine tradition told stories of two places near the Bosporus where Michael was honored, linked to the emperor Constantine. A famous painting showed Michael fighting a dragon, which became a common symbol for him as a warrior. This idea spread to many churches in Eastern Christianity.

In the fourth century, Saint Basil the Great said Michael was above all other angels. By the sixth century, people in Rome honored Michael, especially after a sickness, believing he helped heal them.

Catholicism

Catholics often call Michael “Holy Michael, the Archangel” or “Saint Michael”. He has four main roles. First, he leads God’s forces against evil. Second, he helps guide the souls of Christians to heaven when they die. Third, he is seen as weighing souls. Fourth, he is a special protector for God’s people and the Church. During the Middle Ages, knights and many cities and countries saw him as their patron saint.

Eastern and Oriental Orthodoxy

Eastern Orthodox Christians call Michael “Archistrategos”, meaning “Supreme Commander of the Heavenly Hosts”. They pray to Michael and Gabriel, and many churches have special times to honor Michael. In Russia, many churches are dedicated to him, and in Ukraine, he is the patron saint of Kyiv. In Serbia, the main cathedral in Belgrade is devoted to him.

Protestantism

Protestants see Michael as an archangel. Anglican and Methodist traditions recognize four archangels: Michael, Raphael, Gabriel, and Uriel. Some Protestant thinkers have suggested that Michael might be the same as Jesus in some Bible passages.

Restorationism

Jehovah's Witnesses

Jehovah's Witnesses believe Michael is another name for Jesus in heaven, before and after he came to earth. They think Michael and Jesus are the same.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Members of this church believe Michael is Adam, the first human, and a leader among angels. They also believe he helped create the world and fought against a powerful angel who fell.

Islam

In Islam, Michael, also called Mīkāʾīl, is one of the four important angels. The others are Jibril (Gabriel), ʾIsrāfīl (the angel who will blow the trumpet), and ʿAzrāʾīl (the angel of death). The Quran mentions Michael just once, together with Gabriel.

Stories and teachings about Michael say he helps show kindness and mercy. He asks God to forgive people and was one of the first angels to follow God’s command. Michael also helps create angels of mercy and brings rain to the earth. Sometimes, stories about the prophet Muhammad mention Michael, but he is not always a big part of these stories.

Bahá'í Faith

In the Bahá'í Faith, the archangel Michael is not directly mentioned by important figures such as Baha'u'llah, 'Abdu'l-Baha, Shoghi Effendi, or the Universal House of Justice. However, some Bahá'í writings connect Michael to Baha'u'llah. They suggest that Baha'u'llah could be seen as the chief prince of Persia described in the Book of Revelation from the New Testament, who is said to achieve final victory over evil. Some also believe Michael represents Baha'u'llah as a symbol of God's glory, similar to ideas in Jewish Mysticism.

Feasts

In many Christian traditions, the angel Michael is honored on special days called feasts. In the General Roman Calendar, the Anglican Calendar of Saints, and the Lutheran Calendar of Saints, Michael's feast is celebrated on Michaelmas Day, September 29. This day also honors the angels Gabriel and Raphael.

The Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates Michael's main feast day on November 8 (or November 21 for those using the Julian calendar). They honor Michael as the leader of the angels and remember a miracle that happened at Chonae on September 6.

In the Church of England, especially in the diocese of Truro, May 8 marks the feast of St. Michael, Protector of Cornwall. Michael is one of the three patron saints of Cornwall. Some Christian groups observe the feast of Michael's appearance on Mount Gargano in Italy on May 8.

The Coptic Orthodox Church celebrates Michael on the 12th of Hathor and the 12th of Paoni. The Feast of Saint Michael and All Angels is remembered on September 29 in the ROCOR Western Rite. The Oriental Orthodox Church honors Michael for helping the prophet Jeremiah on April 7.

Patronages and orders

In later times, Michael became a special protector for knights and soldiers. He is also seen as a patron for police officers, paramedics, and the military. After a big battle in the year 955, he was named the protector of Germany and the Holy Roman Empire.

Michael was also chosen as the first patron of a special group of knights in France in 1469, called the Order of Saint Michael. In Britain, there is an order named after both Michael and another hero, Saint George. Michael is also a patron for people who are sick or suffering. He is especially important for sailors, as shown by a famous place in France called Mont Saint-Michel.

Many places and groups around the world honor Michael as their protector. He is the patron of Brussels, the city of Arkhangelsk in Russia, and Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. In Scotland, towns like Linlithgow and Dumfries also consider him their special protector. There are religious groups named after Michael, such as the Community of St Michael and All Angels and the Congregation of Saint Michael the Archangel.

In the military, Michael is especially important to paratroopers. The 82nd Airborne Division in the United States military honors him, and his symbol is used by French paratroopers and police forces in several countries.

Legends

Judaism

Legends say that the angel Michael was sent by God to lead the army against a powerful ruler named Nebuchadnezzar around 600 BC. Michael also helped free his people from being captured. Stories tell us that Michael saved three men from a very hot fire, and he helped protect the Jewish people during tough times.

Christianity

In Christian stories, Michael the angel appears in many places. One tale from ancient times tells how Michael helped create a special spring of water that could heal people near a lake. In Italy, people believe Michael appeared on a hilltop and became a popular place for visitors to pray. In France, there is a famous island where people say Michael told a bishop to build a church long ago. These stories show how Michael is seen as a helper and protector in many cultures.

In literature, music, and art

Literature

In the 1667 English epic poem Paradise Lost by John Milton, Michael leads the angels who stay loyal to God against the angels who turned against God, led by Satan. Michael fights Satan and wounds him.

Music

Marc-Antoine Charpentier wrote a piece called Praelium Michaelis Archangeli factum in coelo cum dracone, H.410, in 1683.

Artistic depictions

Main article: Archangel Michael in Christian art

In Christian art, Archangel Michael is often shown alone or with another angel named Gabriel. Some pictures of Michael and Gabriel are very old, from the eighth century.

Michael is usually shown as a strong angel with armor, a helmet, a sword, and a shield. He often stands over a snake or a dragon. This comes from old stories where he fights a bad figure.

Sometimes Michael is shown holding scales to weigh people’s souls and a book, showing he helps decide what happens after life.

Different artists have shown Michael in many ways over the years.

Namesake churches

• St. Michael's Church (disambiguation)
• Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel (es)), San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico World Heritage Site
• Sacra di San Michele (Saint Michael's Abbey), near Turin, Italy
• Church of St. Michael in Štip, Macedonia
• Pfarrei Brixen St. Michael with the White Tower, Brixen, Italy
• Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula, in Brussels, Belgium
• Mont Saint-Michel, Normandy, France – a World Heritage Site
• St. Michael's Cathedral Basilica (Toronto), Canada
• St. Michael's Cathedral (Izhevsk), Russia
• St. Michael's Cathedral, Qingdao, China
• St. Michael's Catholic Church, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
• Chudov Monastery in the Moscow Kremlin
• Cathedral of the Archangel in the Moscow Kremlin – a World Heritage Site
• Sanctuary of Monte Sant'Angelo, Gargano, Italy – a World Heritage Site
• St Michael's Mount, Cornwall, UK
• St. Michael, Minnesota
• St. Michael's Basilica, Miramichi, Canada
• Skellig Michael, off the Irish west coast – a World Heritage Site
• St Michael's Cathedral, Coventry, UK
• St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery, Kyiv, Ukraine
• St. Michael's Church, Vienna in Vienna, Austria
• Tayabas Basilica, Tayabas, Quezon, Philippines
• St. Michael's Church, Berlin, Germany
• San Miguel Church (Manila), Philippines
• St. Michael's Jesuit church, Munich, Germany
• St. Michael's Cathedral, Belgrade in Belgrade, Serbia
• Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel in Gamu, Isabela, Philippines
• Mission San Miguel Arcángel, San Miguel, California, United States, one of the California Missions
• St Michael at the North Gate, Oxford, UK
• St. Michael's Roman Catholic church, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
• St. Michael's Church, Mumbai, India
• St Michael and All Angels Church, Polwatte
• St Michael's Church, Churchill, UK
• San Miguel Arcangel Church, Marilao, Bulacan, Philippines
• San Miguel Arcangel Church, San Miguel, Bulacan, Philippines
• St Michael the Archangel, Llanyblodwel, England
• Seven medieval churches in Iceland were dedicated to the saint, including one in Búðardalur in Skarðsströnd, Steinar in Eyjafjöll and Borg in Mýrar.