The Archangel Michael in the Christian tradition
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Memorial Archive of the Micaelic Cult
THE MICAELIC CULT IN SPACE AND TIME
1. Introduction to Micael Worship
1.1 The Archangel Michael in the Christian tradition
1.1.1 - Origin of the name and theological significance
Etymology and meaning
The name Michael comes from the Hebrew ???????? (Mîkh?'?l)? and is composed of three elements:
• Mi - 'Chi'
• Ka - 'like'
• El - 'God'.
The literal translation is therefore:
"Who is like God?"
It is a rhetorical question implying an implicit answer: no one is like God. This name is, in Christian theology, an affirmation of humility and faithfulness to God and is seen as the divine response to the pride of Lucifer, who wanted to elevate himself above the Creator.
According to tradition, this cry was uttered by Michael himself when he challenged the rebel angel, becoming the defender of divine glory. The name, therefore, not only identifies, but defines his mission: to defend God's transcendence and uniqueness against all attempts at usurpation.
Theological and spiritual significance
In Christian theology, the name Michael is associated with a number of profound concepts:
• Affirmation of divine sovereignty: Michael does not fight for himself, but to defend the majesty of God.
• Angelic humility: its name is in opposition to the original sin of pride.
• Defence of the cosmic order: he is the guarantor of the balance between good and evil in the salvific design.
Michael embodies the figure of the guardian of truth and man's ally in spiritual trials, opposing the disorder and chaos introduced by sin.
Recommended multimedia content
Images:
• Byzantine icon with St. Michael
• St. Michael defeating the dragon - Guido Reni (1636)
Video:
• Video (1 min) - Who is St. Michael the Archangel?
• Full-length documentary (20 min) - The figure of St Michael in history and faith
Sources and references
• Catechism of the Catholic Church, §§ 336, 350
• Jean Daniélou, Angels and their Role in Revelation, Jaca Book
• A. Vauchez, Encyclopaedia of Saints, Città Nuova
• Official website of the IEC - www.chiesacattolica.it
• Wikimedia Commons - free public domain images
1.1.2 - The Archangel Michael in the Scriptures
Presence in the Old Testament
Book of Daniel
In the Book of Daniel, Michael is mentioned as a powerful protector of the people of Israel:
• Daniel 10:13: "But the leader of the kingdom of Persia resisted me for twenty-one days; but Michael, one of the first leaders, came to my aid."
• Daniel 10:21: "No one helps me in this but Michael, your leader."
• Daniel 12:1: "At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince, who watches over the children of your people."
In these verses, Michael is described as a 'great prince' and 'protector' of God's people, highlighting his role as a defender against the forces of evil.
Presence in the New Testament
Letter of Jude
In the Letter of Jude, Michael is involved in a dispute with the devil:
• Jude 1:9: "The archangel Michael, when he disputed with the devil over the body of Moses, did not dare to hurl an insulting accusation at him, but said, 'The Lord rebuke thee!'"dentrosalerno.it
This episode, although brief, underlines the authority and humility of Michael, who relies on divine judgement rather than pronouncing a direct condemnation.
Revelation of John
In Revelation, Michael leads the heavenly forces in the battle against the dragon:
Revelation 12:7-9: "Then a war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, and there was no more room for them in heaven."
This passage represents the ultimate victory of the forces of good, led by Michael, against the evil represented by the dragon, symbol of Satan.
Presence in apocryphal texts
In the apocryphal texts, Michael assumes significant roles:
• Book of Enoch (1 Enoch): Michael is described as one of the four main archangels, charged with binding the fallen angels and purifying the earth from corruption.
• Revelation of Moses: Michael is the one who teaches Adam to cultivate the earth after his expulsion from Paradise.
• Gospel of Bartholomew: Michael brings God the earth and water needed to create Adam.
These texts, although not canonical, offer a broader view of Michael's role in the Judeo-Christian tradition.
Recommended multimedia content
Images:
• Byzantine icon with St. Michael
• St. Michael defeating the dragon - Guido Reni (1636)
Video:
• Video (1 min) - Who is St. Michael the Archangel?
• Full-length documentary (20 min) - The figure of St Michael in history and faith
Sources and references
• Catechism of the Catholic Church, §§ 336, 350
• Jean Daniélou, Angels and their Role in Revelation, Jaca Book
• A. Vauchez, Encyclopaedia of Saints, Città Nuova
• Official website of the IEC - www.chiesacattolica.it
• Wikipedia Wikipedia, - Michael (archangel)the free encyclopaedia
1.1.3 - Role and attributes of Archangel Michael
Archangel, prince and leader of the heavenly militia
According to Christian tradition, St Michael is the archangel par excellence, often identified as the leader of the angelic hosts fighting against evil. The term archangel (from the Greek archi- "chief" and angelos "messenger") emphasises his elevated rank in the celestial hierarchy.
In the Book of Revelation (12:7-9), Michael leads the faithful angels in the battle against the dragon (Satan), representing the victory of truth over evil.
"A war then broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon..."
(Revelation 12:7)
Judge and weigher of souls
Michael is also depicted as an eschatological judge weighing souls on the Day of Judgement, often represented with scales. This function is based on ancient patristic beliefs and popular traditions.
In medieval Western iconography, Michael is represented with:
• a sword or spear
• a scale for weighing sins
• the dragon (Satan) underfoot
This depiction strongly influenced Christian art between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
Psychopomp and guide of souls
In liturgy and popular tradition, Michael is often invoked as the 'companion of souls', a task he performs when the faithful die.
Leo XIII's prayer, often recited at the end of Mass, implores Michael's intercession against the wiles of the devil, reinforcing his role as spiritual defender and intercessor.
Protector of the Church and the Faithful
Michael has been considered for centuries:
• Patron of the universal Church (especially after the reform of Leo XIII)
• Protector of the armed forces and police corps
• Guardian in illnesses and spiritual wars
His figure also lends itself to a spiritual and symbolic reading: he is the inner warrior that every believer is called upon to embody in the fight against evil.
Recommended multimedia content
Images
• St. Michael with sword and scales - classical iconography
• St Michael crushing the dragon
• Medieval fresco: psychostasy (weighing of the soul)
Video
Sources and references
Catechism of the Catholic Church, § 336
Jean Daniélou, Angels and their Role in Revelation, Jaca Book
Encyclopaedia of Saints - A. Vauchez, Città Nuova
Leo XIII, Prayer to St Michael Archangel (1886)
Wikipedia - Michael (archangel)
Vatican.va - Catechesis on angels
1.1.4 - Historical development of Christian worship
Eastern origins of the cult
The cult of St Michael the Archangel has its origins in the Christian East. One of the earliest testimonies dates back to the Michaelion, a sanctuary built in the 4th century by Constantine the Great in Chalcedon, Asia Minor. There, Michael was worshipped as a healer, and the site was associated with water sources believed to be miraculous.
Over the centuries, the cult spread to different regions of the Byzantine Empire, with churches dedicated to the Archangel in Chonai, Germia, Brussa and Sidea. Inscriptions and archaeological evidence attest to the veneration of Michael in these areas since the 6th century .
Diffusion in the West: Monte Sant'Angelo and the Sacred Line
In the West, the cult of St Michael became established from the 5th century onwards. According to tradition, the Archangel appeared to Bishop Lorenzo Maiorano in 490 on Mount Gargano in Apulia, indicating a cave to be consecrated to Christian worship. In that place, the Sanctuary of St Michael Archangel was built, which became one of the main medieval pilgrimage centres.
A fascinating aspect of the micaelico cult is the so-called Sacred Line of St. Michael, a geographical alignment connecting seven sanctuaries dedicated to the Archangel, from the Sacra di San Michele in Piedmont to Mount Carmel in Israel. This alignment, also known as the 'Dragon Line', has been interpreted as a symbolic path of faith and protection.
Adoption of the cult by the Lombards
In the early medieval period, the cult of St Michael was adopted by the Lombards, who associated him with their warrior traditions. Considered a protector in battle, the Archangel became the patron of the Lombard militia. In this context, numerous places of worship arose, such as the Sacra di San Michele in Val di Susa, founded between 983 and 987, which became an important spiritual and cultural centre.
Liturgical consolidation and popular devotion
In the 6th century, Pope Gelasius I instituted the feast of St Michael on 29 September, a date commemorating the dedication of a church named after him on the Via Salaria in Rome.
Later, the Roman liturgy consolidated the veneration of the Archangel, including him in the Confiteor and other prayers of the Mass. In 1886, Pope Leo XIII composed a prayer to St Michael, to be recited at the end of Mass, to invoke his protection against the wiles of the devil.
Diffusion and cultural syncretisms
The cult of St Michael spread widely throughout Europe, often overlapping with pre-existing traditions. In some regions, the Archangel was associated with mythological figures such as Hercules or Odin, taking on characteristics of protector and warrior. This syncretization facilitated the integration of the micaelic cult into local cultures, contributing to its spread and popularity.
Recommended multimedia content
Images
• Statue of St Michael Archangel in Castel Sant'Angelo, Rome
• Sanctuary of St Michael Archangel (Monte Sant'Angelo, Gargano)
Video
Sources and references
In the Footsteps of St Michael - Origins of the cult
Sacra di San Michele - The cult
Wikipedia - St. Michael the Archangel
Altaterradilavoro.com - The cult of St. Michael in the Byzantine Empire
Famiglia Cristiana - St Michael and the police
Evus.it - From Hercules to San Michele
1.1.5 - Liturgy and religious calendar
• St Michael's feasts in the Roman liturgy
29 September: Feast of the Holy Archangels
8 May: apparition on the Gargano
• Eastern liturgical uses (Byzantine, Coptic, Syriac)
• Prayers and invocations to St Michael (e.g. Prayer of Leo XIII)
Main liturgical feasts
29 September - Feast of the Holy Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael
In the Catholic liturgical calendar, 29 September is the feast day of the three archangels: Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. This date commemorates the dedication of a Roman basilica to St Michael on the Via Salaria in the 5th century. Previously, each archangel had its own feast day: Michael on 29 September, Gabriel on 24 March and Raphael on 24 October. The 1969 liturgical reform unified the celebrations into a single feast day.
8 May - Feast of the Apparition of St Michael on Mount Gargano
8 May is the feast of the Apparition of St Michael, in memory of his manifestation to Bishop Lorenzo Maiorano in 490 AD on Mount Gargano in Apulia. This feast day is particularly celebrated at the Sanctuary of Monte Sant'Angelo and other locations in Italy, where liturgical celebrations and processions are held.
St Michael in the Catholic liturgy
Tridentine Mass (Vetus Ordo)
In the traditional liturgy, St Michael is mentioned at various times:
• In the Confiteor, as the first of the invoked saints after the Virgin Mary.
• In the prayer of blessing the incense:
"Per intercessionem beati Michaelis Archangeli, stantis a dextris altaris incensi..."
• In the Offertory of the Mass for the Dead, St Michael is asked to accompany souls to Paradise.
Prayer to St Michael by Leo XIII
In 1886, Pope Leo XIII composed a prayer to St Michael, to be recited at the end of Mass:
"St Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle..."
This prayer was obligatory until 1965 and, although no longer prescribed, is still recited by many believers.
Recommended multimedia content
Images
• Statue of St Michael Archangel in Castel Sant'Angelo, Rome
• Sanctuary of St Michael Archangel (Monte Sant'Angelo, Gargano)
Video
Sources and references
Cathopedia - St. Michael the ArchangelCathopedia
Wikipedia - Michael (archangel)
Aleteia - St Michael in the Christian liturgyAleteia.org - Italian
1.1.6 - St Michael in the theological and patristic tradition
1.1.6.1 - Views of the Church Fathers
Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430)
Augustine, in his masterpiece De Civitate Dei, often refers to the struggle between the city of God and the city of men. In this struggle, the good angels, and in particular St Michael, play the role of guardians of the divine order and defenders against pride and rebellion.
"Who is like God?" is not just a name, but a principle that guides the angelic being towards absolute faithfulness.
Saint Gregory the Great (ca. 540-604)
Gregory the Great, in his Homily on the Gospels (Homiliae in Evangelia, II, 34), attributes a specific role to Michael in missions involving force and judgement, distinguishing the functions of angels according to the nature of their action.
"Michael is called when it comes to performing mighty deeds: he is the prince of the heavenly armies."
Gregory was also a promoter of the liturgical spread of the cult of St Michael, especially in the Roman Church.
1.1.6.2 - St. Thomas Aquinas and the role of angels
Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), in his Summa Theologiae (Prima Pars, q. 113), outlines the hierarchical structure of the angelic world. The angels are divided into choirs and orders, and Michael is placed among the principalities, but has a higher function because of his universal mission.
According to Thomas:
• Angels do not have bodies, but they can act in the physical world;
• St Michael is the leader of good spirits, as opposed to Lucifer, leader of rebellious spirits;
• He is the guardian of the Church, as defender of divine truth and justice.
"The name 'Michael' means 'He who is like God', and perfectly expresses the task of the angel who opposes the pride of the devil."
1.1.6.3 - Reflections in Contemporary Theology
In current theology, St Michael continues to represent:
• The model of the faithful angel, who fights evil not in his own strength, but in the name of God;
• The symbol of the daily spiritual struggle, as expressed by authors such as Hans Urs von Balthasar and Joseph Ratzinger;
• A current figure in postmodern spirituality, which seeks a reference to transcendent justice.
His cult has also experienced a revival among the laity, thanks to renewed interest in the prayer of Leo XIII, often recited after Mass in traditionalist contexts and charismatic communities.
Recommended multimedia content
Images
• Greek-Byzantine icon of St. Michael the Archangel
• Medieval-inspired icon - St. Michael with sword and scales
Video
• "The theological significance of St Michael".
• "Who is St Michael for the Church today?" - Testimonies and reflections
Sources and references
Summa Theologiae, St. Thomas Aquinas, Prima Pars, Quaestiones 50-64, 108-113
De Civitate Dei, Saint Augustine
Homiliae in Evangelia, St Gregory the Great
Wikipedia - Michael (archangel)
Vatican.va - Catechism of the Catholic Church, §§ 325-336
1.1.7 - Cultural and spiritual impact
1.1.7.1 - St Michael as a model of justice, strength and obedience
Throughout history, St Michael the Archangel has assumed the role of an ideal model of spiritual virtues. He is the angel distinguished for:
• Justice: defender of the good, guarantor of the divine order;
• Strength: leading the heavenly militia into battle, as in the famous passage in Revelation (12:7-9);
• Obedience: not acting in one's own name, but by the will of God.
This combination of qualities has made the Archangel a symbol of reference not only in theology, but also in the ethical and spiritual formation of Christians, especially in times marked by wars, religious tensions and the need for spiritual protection.
"Who is like God?" is not just a name, but a principle: absolute humility before divine justice.
1.1.7.2 - Symbol of the inner struggle against evil
St Michael is often interpreted, even in personal spirituality, as an emblem of the inner battle. The iconography with the flaming sword and the dragon under his feet represents:
• The fight against disordered passions;
• Spiritual combat against temptation;
• Resistance to sin and moral evil.
Church Fathers and spiritual masters such as St Bernard of Clairvaux and Ignatius of Loyola pointed to Michael as a model for the Christian called to discern and resist the enemy's suggestions.
In modern charismatic communities, the Archangel is often invoked during times of prayer for spiritual liberation.
1.1.7.3 - The figure of the Archangel in monastic and chivalric spirituality
During the Middle Ages, the figure of St Michael became deeply linked to two archetypes:
• The warrior monk, guardian of truth and prayer, striving for spiritual purity;
• The Christian knight, defending the faith with sword and spirit.
Places like the Sacra di San Michele and Mont-Saint-Michel are not only pilgrimage destinations, but also symbols of spiritual militia, where faith and discipline coexist.
The chivalric Order of Saint Michael, founded by Louis XI of France in 1469, is a direct manifestation of this symbolism: the Archangel as moral guide, patron of heroic and military virtues.
Recommended multimedia content
Images
• St. Michael with the sword and the dragon - Renaissance painting
• Medieval miniature: St. Michael as spiritual knight
• Mont-Saint-Michel - Symbolic site of spiritual combat
Video
Sources and references
Summa Theologiae, St. Thomas Aquinas - Part I, q. 113
De Civitate Dei, Saint Augustine
Catechism of the Catholic Church, §§ 325-336
Cathopedia - Worship of St. Michael
Vatican.va - Catechesis on St. Michael
1.1.8 - Iconographic aspects in the Christian tradition
St Michael the Archangel is traditionally represented with a number of symbolic attributes:
• Sword or spear: symbol of the fight against evil, often depicted defeating Satan in the form of a dragon or serpent.
• Libra: used to weigh souls during the Last Judgement, it represents divine justice.
• Armour: indicates his nature as a celestial warrior, prince of the angelic militia.
1.1.8.2 - Stylistic evolution from East to West
The iconography of St Michael underwent a significant evolution in the transition from East to West:
• East (Byzantine tradition): St Michael is often depicted dressed as a court dignitary, with the 'loron' and an imperial robe, emphasising his heavenly authority.
• West: the representation focuses on the military aspect, with armour, sword and scales, emphasising the role of defender against evil.
1.1.8.3 - Differences between Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican iconography
Christian traditions show variations in the iconography of St Michael:
• Catholic: prefers the image of the warrior defeating the devil, with sword and scales, often in scenes of the Last Judgement.
• Orthodox: depicts St Michael in liturgical robes, with staff and globe, emphasising his function as a messenger and spiritual guide.
• Anglican: depictions are less frequent and often influenced by Catholic art, maintaining the image of the heavenly warrior.
1.1.8.4 - Famous works of art depicting St. Michael
Some of the best known artistic representations of St. Michael include:
• "St. Michael the Archangel Defeats Satan' by Guido Reni (1635): kept in the church of Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini in Rome, it is one of the artist's most famous works.
• "St. Michael the Archangel and stories of his legend' by Coppo di Marcovaldo (1250- 1260): a panel preserved in the Giuliano Ghelli Museum, it represents one of the most important examples of 13th century Florentine painting.
• Triptych by Defendente Ferrari (ca. 1520): kept at the Sacra di San Michele, it depicts the Archangel in various religious scenes .
Recommended multimedia content
Images - Famous works of art and iconography
• Guido Reni - Saint Michael Defeating Satan (1636), Rome
• Coppo di Marcovaldo - Saint Michael Archangel and stories of his legend (13th cent.)
• Defendente Ferrari - Triptych of St. Michael (ca. 1520), Sacra di San Michele
• Medieval Miniature - Michael Weighing Souls (Last Judgement)
• Byzantine Icon of St. Michael (15th cent.) - Greece
• Baroque statue of St Michael Archangel - Castel Sant'Angelo, Rome
Video - Iconographic and cultural insights
• "St Michael, the warrior of God".
• 'The Iconography of St Michael between East and West'
Sources and references
Wikipedia - Michael (archangel)
Cathopedia - Archangel MichaelCathopedia
Sacra di San Michele - Works of Artesacradisanmichele.com
Wikipedia - St Michael the Archangel and stories of his legendWikipedia, the free encyclopaedia+1