Archangels Michael and Gabriel

On Saturday, November 11, the Armenian Church remembers Archangels Michael and Gabriel.

Archangel is a title given to an angel of high rank in the celestial hierarchy.

Michael, which means “who is like God,” is one of the principal angels. His name was the war-cry of the good angels in the battle fought in heaven against the enemy and his followers. Following the scriptural passages, Christian tradition gives to St. Michael four offices: To fight against Satan. To rescue the souls of the faithful, from the power of the enemy, especially at the hour of death. To be the champion of God’s people, the Jews in the Old Law, the Christians in the New Testament. Therefore, he was the patron Saint of the Church; He is considered to be the protector of Christians against the devil. Regarding his rank in the celestial hierarchy, opinions vary; St. Basil in his homily angels and other fathers, place St. Michael over all the angels; They say he is called “Archangel” because he is the prince of the other angels.

Gabriel, which means “strength of God,” is one of God’s chief messengers. In the Christian tradition, Gabriel is ever the angel of mercy while Michael is rather the angel of judgment. He was God’s messenger to Daniel to explain his vision (Dan. 8:16-26) and prophecy (Dan. 9:21-27). He also foretold the birth of John the Baptist and was chosen to announce the forthcoming birth of Christ (Luke 1:11-21). At the same time, even in the bible, Gabriel is, in accordance with his name, the angel of the power of God, and it is worthwhile noting the frequency with which such words as “great”, “might”, “power” and “strength” occur in the bible. It is he who appeared to St. Joseph and to the shepherds, and also that it was he who “strengthened” our lord in the garden prior to the crucifixion.