November 8, 2023. + Orthodox Calendar

Orthodox Calendar 2023

Михаил Архангел

Old Style

November 8

Tuesday

New Style

November 21

25th Week after Pentecost. Tone 7.

No fast.

Synaxis of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Salaphiel, Jegudiel, Barachiel, and Jeremiel and the Other Bodiless Powers.

Righteous Maria, princess of Pskov (Martha in monasticism) (1300).

New Martyr Michael the Blessed, of Chernigov (1922).

St. Tysilio, prince of Powys, abbot, of Meifod, Wales (7th c.). St. Willihad, bishop of Bremen (Germany) (789). Seventy Monk-martyrs of the Archangel Michael Monastery at Prevlaka (Montenegro), poisoned by the Latins (1452).

Repose of Nun Barbara of Birsk (1903), Elder Photius of Valaam (1942), Metropolitan Philaret (Voznesensky) of New York (1985), and Priest George Calciu of Romania and Alexandria, Virginia (2006).

Thoughts for Each Day of the Year
According to the Daily Church Readings from the Word of God
By St. Theophan the Recluse

St. Theophan the Recluse

Tuesday. [II Thess. 1:10-2:2; Luke 12:42-48]

The parable about the steward shows how a Christian should behave with relation to worldly things. A steward diligently does his work, but in his heart he is not attached to anything, he is free from all bonds, he relates to everything outwardly. So also must a Christian be in relation to all worldly things. But is this possible? It is possible. As there exists outward piety without inner piety, so worldliness which is only outward is possible without inner bonds. But in such a case, will everything around us turn into a single lifeless form, emitting coldness like a marble statue? No; in the midst of worldly things another life will develop which is more attractive than the fullest worldliness. Worldly things, being worldly things, truly will remain as the form, while that which warms the heart will start to proceed from another source, and whosoever drinketh from this source will no longer thirst. But then, is it better to drop everything? Why? Even one who outwardly drops everything can still be attached in his heart, and one who does not outwardly drop everything can be free from bonds. Of course it is more convenient for one who outwardly renounces everything to control his heart. Choose what is more convenient for you; just be disposed as the Lord commands.

Articles

The Nature of Angels — Their Hierarchy and Ministrations

Bishop Alexander (Mileant)

Angel in Greek means messenger. This word denotes mainly their relationship to man. They, as our elder brothers, reveal to us the will of God and assist us in reaching salvation. Man, from the beginning of his state in paradise, knew of the existence of the angels. This fact is reflected in many ancient religions.

Homily on the Day of Archangel Michael

Metropolitan Platon (Levshin)

We possess the qualities of creatures both material and immaterial, and I can say that although the Creator has given us the greater ascetic struggle because of these nearly opposite natures, we are nevertheless obliged to preserve a precise balance between them, so that by observing what is natural to the body we do not violate the demands of the soul; and by protecting the soul’s privilege, we do not neglect the needs of the body.

Synaxis of the Holy Archangel Michael and all the Heavenly Hosts

According to the Holy Scriptures, the angels, human beings, and all nature were created by God. With the words, "In the beginning God created Heaven and earth" (Gen. 1:1), we have the first indication that God created the spiritual world. Here, in contrast to earth, a substantial world, this world of spirits is called Heaven. The angels were already present during the creation of the starry skies, which is evidenced by the words of God spoken to Job, "When the stars were created, all My angels sang praises to Me" (Job 38:7).

Synaxis of the Archangel Michael & the other Bodiless Powers: Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Salaphiel, Jegudiel & Barachiel

The name Michael means "Who is like God?" and Gabriel means "God is mighty."

All About Angels

The Synaxis of the Leader of the Heavenly Hosts Michael, and the Other Heavenly Bodiless Hosts was established at the beginning of the IV Century at the local Laodician Council, which occurred several years before the First Ecumenical Council.

Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the Other Bodiless Powers

All the Ranks of the Heavenly Powers are called angels, although each has its own name and position by virtue of their service. The Lord reveals His will to the highest ranks of the angels, and they in turn inform the others.

The Archangels

The Archangel Michael is the outstanding figure in the eyes of the Greek Orthodox Church and is depicted in the many houses of worship in an icon always on the extreme left where he is pictured as a guardian of Paradise from whence Adam and Eve were evicted. In some icons he is seen with a flaming sword as a symbol of the righteousness that called for the casting out of the Garden of Eden of Adam and Eve after they had fallen victim to Satan in the form of a serpent.

A Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel

Be thou a guardian Angel, a wise counsellor and companion of the Christian people, bringing them enlightenment, strength, joy, peace and consolation.Be thou a leader and a companion in battle to those who strive for the Orthodox Faith, so that all who fight against us may know that God and His holy Angels are with us.

On the Feast of the Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and All the Heavenly Bodiless Powers

Archimdrite Kirill (Pavlov)

When amidst a distracted and sinful life you suddenly feel a revulsion for sin, and under the influence of bright thoughts you get the desire to change your way of life, it means that your guardian angel has found a serendipitous moment to place before your inner eyes sin as it really is, in all its foulness.

Angels

Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh

The word ‘angel’ comes from the Greek ‘angelos’, which means ‘a messenger’. As far as we are concerned, in the way in which we are related to the angels, they enter into our life as messengers of God. This does not mean that there is not in the angels an essence of their own, their own essential being, and that they are nothing but messengers.

Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the Other Bodiless Powers

A Feastday was established in November, the ninth month after March (with which the year began in ancient times) since there are Nine Ranks of Angels.

Homily on the Feast of the Archangel Michael

Archimandrite John (Krestiankin)

In the opinion of the teachers of the Church, man was created in order to replace the fallen angels. That means that we are supposed enter into the Synaxis of Angels.

The Archangel Michael Operated On Me!

Archimandrite Daniel Sapikas

Through a cloud I watched and listened to what was happening in the operating room, and the suffering was great. As a physician, I understood very well how critical my condition was.

Feast of St. Archangel Michael

St. John of Kronstadt

Today, dear brethren, we celebrate the glorious feast of the lightning-like Archangel Michael and all the heavenly bodiless powers. On this day let us talk of the boundless world of the angels.

On Names and Angels. The Day of Archangel Michael

Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh

“There is no one like God”—in this is expressed all of the great Archangel’s knowledge of his God. He doesn’t describe Him, nor does he explain—he stands and witnesses.

Commemoration of the Miracle of the Archangel Michael at Colossae

St Archippus prayed fervently to the Chief Commander Michael to ward off the danger. Through his prayer the Archangel Michael appeared at the temple, and with a blow of his staff, opened a wide fissure in a rock and commanded the rushing torrents of water to flow into it.

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