Who is Michael?

Michael is an archangel, as presented in the Bible. He is mentioned in both Testaments, in the books of Daniel and of Revelation and is one of those figures common to Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. To him are ascribed the Field Command of the Army of God and a role as carer for the sick (among early Christians).

What is Michael?

There are two general points of view among theologians as to the nature of angels and archangels: one view is that angels are Biblical metaphors for God’s action in the world, that there are no actual angels but only God interacting with God’s creation; the other point of view is that angels and archangels are actual beings created by God to serve God and minister to God’s people. Both points of view are common and acceptable among Anglicans.

Why is our church named St. Michael?

Back in the 1950’s then – Bishop Moody wanted to found four parishes around Lexington named after the four archangels:  Gabriel, Michael, Raphael and Uriel and four parishes were formed though one of them declined to be named after Uriel and was founded as St. Matthew’s instead (which was subsequently closed because it failed to grow.)  St. Gabriel’s merged with St. Barnabas in Nicholasville and was renamed Resurrection (sited on US 27 in Jessamine County.) St. Michael’s and St. Raphael’s, of course, still exist. 

What else is named after St. Michael?

There are literally thousands of Anglican, Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Lutheran entities named after St. Michael, the most numerous being parishes like ours.  But monasteries (Mt. Michael Abbey, Elkhorn, Nebraska and Mount St. Michael in France to name two of many) and Cathedrals (the Anglican Cathedral in Coventry, England) are also graced with his name as are various guilds, societies and devotional and service organizations.

What place does Michael hold in Christian life?

St. Michael the Archangel is frequently asked by Christians to be a defender against spiritual attacks, especially the Devil. He is the assigned patron of at least 33 groups, including such diverse persons as boatmen, haberdashers, paramedics, sick people and the Greek airforce. He is, of course, the automatic patron of persons named after him.

Factoids:

• Michael is Hebrew for “Who is Like God?”
• His emblems include banners, dragons, (as representing satan), scales and swords.
• Until the second Vatican Council, St. Michael was, by papal command, prayed to after each low (or non-sung) Mass in Roman Catholic Churches, with the special intention of re-converting Russia to Christianity.
• In Western Christianity, St. Michael’s day is observed on September 29th by Anglicans, Lutherans and Roman Catholics; Eastern Orthodox Christians observe his day on November 8th.
• Many civic and business activities were assigned for St. Michael’s Day since, in western Europe, his day ended the 3rd Quarter of the year. Rent collection, starts of school terms, legislative and judicial proceedings were associated with St. Michael’s Day.
• Media portrayals: 
  • In the episode “Fallen Angel”, Xena the Warrior Priencess was rescued by our patron saint.
  • John Travolta played him in the move “Michael”.
  • In the TV series “30 Rock” one character named his fists St. Patrick and St. Michael.