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Archangel Michael

Biographical

Michael (Hebrew 'Who is like God?'), known in the Bible and the Koran (as Mikal), is one of the archangels and a figure of immense significance across Christian, Jewish, and Islamic traditions, revered as a heavenly warrior, protector, and healer. Depicted as the 'great captain'” of the heavenly hosts, he is a defender of God’s people, a champion in the cosmic struggle against evil, and a figure closely tied to pivotal moments in scripture and tradition. He is named four times in the Bible: in the Book of Daniel, he appears as a chief prince assisting Gabriel in battles against the forces of darkness and rising as a protector of Israel during the end times; in the Epistle of Jude, he contends with the Devil over the body of Moses, a dispute tied to ancient Jewish traditions; and in Revelation, he leads the armies of heaven in a great battle against the dragon, symbolising the ultimate triumph of good over evil. Christian tradition further extends his roles, portraying him as the angel who guarded the gates of paradise after the Fall, delivered the Decalogue to Moses, opposed Balaam, and routed Sennacherib’s army. He is honoured as a defender against Satan, a rescuer of souls from the powers of evil, the patron of God’s people, and a guide for souls to judgment. His veneration spans centuries and cultures, with feast days celebrated on 29 September (Michaelmas) in the West, 8 November in Eastern Orthodox traditions, and the 12th of every month in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, reflecting his widespread importance. Michael has been associated with miraculous appearances and sites of devotion, such as Monte Gargano in Italy, where he is said to have appeared during the early Middle Ages, and Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy, where he became the patron of mariners after appearing to St Aubert. In Asia Minor, he was revered for causing healing springs to flow, earning the title of heavenly physician. In Constantinople, his sanctuary, the Michaelion, became a centre for miracles and healing. Over time, St Michael’s influence extended into various aspects of life and culture; during the Middle Ages, he was seen as the patron of knights and the Church’s armies, a protector of the faithful at the hour of death, and a symbol of divine justice. In art, he is depicted as an angelic warrior, armed with a sword and shield inscribed with 'Quis ut Deus' ('Who is like God?'), often standing triumphantly over a dragon, representing his defeat of Satan, or holding scales to weigh souls, reflecting his role in judgment. His feast day, Michaelmas, was historically marked by community celebrations, such as feasts featuring stubble-geese, processions, and the baking of St Michael’s bannock in parts of Britain, and it served as one of the quarter-days for settling rents and accounts. Despite his association with warfare and judgment, St Michael’s role as a healer, protector, and guide has remained central to his enduring veneration, uniting his celestial authority with his compassionate care for humanity across centuries and cultures.

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