Celebration of the Cathedral of the Archangel Michael and other Ethereal Heavenly Powers (21/11)

The celebration of the Council of the Archangel Michael of God and other ethereal Heavenly Powers was established at the beginning of the 4th century at the Local Laodicean Council, which took place several years before the First Ecumenical Council. The holiday takes place on November 8 (November 21, new style) — in the ninth month of March (from which the year began in ancient times) — in accordance with the number of 9 ranks of the Angels. The eighth day of the month indicates the future Council of all the Powers of Heaven on the day of the Last Judgment of God, which the holy fathers call «day the eighth».

Since ancient times, Archangel Michael in Rus' has been glorified for his miracles. Representations for the Russian cities of the Blessed Queen of Heaven have always been carried out by Her appearances with the Army of Heaven, under the leadership of the Archangel. Grateful Rus' glorified the Most Pure Mother of God and the Archangel Michael in church chants.

Many monasteries, cathedral, palace and posad churches are dedicated to the archangel. In ancient Kyiv, immediately after the adoption of Christianity, the Archangel Cathedral was erected and a monastery was built. Archangel Cathedrals stand in Smolensk, Nizhny Novgorod, Staritsa, a monastery in Veliky Ustyug (early 13th century), a cathedral in Sviyazhsk. There was no city in Rus' where there was no temple or chapel dedicated to the Archangel Michael. One of the most important churches in the city of Moscow — temple-tomb in the Kremlin — is dedicated to him.

On the icons, Archangels are depicted in accordance with the type of their ministry. Michael tramples the devil with his feet, holds a green date branch in his left hand, and a spear with a white banner (sometimes a fiery sword) in his right — hand, on which a scarlet cross is inscribed. Gabriel is depicted with a branch of paradise brought by him to the Blessed Virgin, or with a luminous lantern in his right hand and a mirror made of — jasper in his left. Raphael holds a vessel of healing potions in his left hand, and leads Tobiah carrying the fish with his right. Uriel holds a naked sword in his raised right hand at chest level, in his lowered left hand — « flame fire». Selaphiel is depicted in a prayerful position, looking down, with his hands folded over his chest. Yehudiel holds a golden crown in his right hand, a scourge of three red (or black) vervias in his schutz —. Barachiel's clothes show many pink flowers, and Jeremiel holds scales in his hand.

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