Gold foil printed icon of Archangel Michael the Taxiarch on Hagiography wood.

Dimensions: 26x21cm.

The Archangel Michael, whose name means "Who is like God?", appears mainly in the Old Testament. During the period of the fall of the Angels, the Archangel Michael united the Angelic Orders. God appointed him as the first of the angelic orders because he preserved His glory and splendor.

In the Old Testament, Michael appears to Abraham and announces the need for the sacrifice of his son Isaac. He is also the one who rescues Jacob from the deadly hands of Esau. In the New Testament the Archangel is the one who will announce the second coming of Jesus Christ to earth. In the Revelation of the Evangelist John the Theologian he is mentioned as the leader of the Angels in the battle against Satan.

The Archangel Michael the Taxiarch is honored by the Orthodox Christian Church on November 8 of each year.

Apolytikion of Synaxis of the Archangels

Fourth Tone

O Commanders of the Heavenly Host, we the unworthy beseech you, that through your entreaties you will fortify us, guarding us in the shelter of the wings of your ethereal glory, even as we fervently bow before you crying: "Deliver us from all danger, as Commanders of the Powers on high! "