Guardian Angel – Archangel Michael Silk Screen Icon – Gold Frame, Engraved Wood

Description

Archangel Michael, also called the Archistrategos (“chief commander”) or Saint Michael, is known as the Defender of the Faith. Archangel Michael is a protector of humanity, known for protecting the faithful from war and invasion. He is also known to help during times of war and conflict, often being credited with helping armies defeat their foe. 

Archangel Michael is first introduced in the Old Testament during Joshua’s recounting of seeing a man with a sword in hand during the fall of Jericho. The man is Archangel Michael. In the New Testament there is reference to Archangel Michael’s powers and miracles, including Archangel Michael saving a man who had been thrown into the sea with a stone around his neck to weigh him down. 

There are several more miracles attributed to Archangel Michael, the most popular being the miracle at Colossae. According to tradition, a group of pagans, angered by Christianity and practicing Christians, set out to lay waste to the church in Colossae. They decided to divert two rivers into the direction of the church in order to destroy it, but were unsuccessful due to the intervention of Archangel Michael. He appeared, carrying a cross, in the water of the diverted rivers and saved the church by forcing the water underground. A spring was formed from the water that Archangel Michael redirected underground and it’s credited with having healing powers. 

Archangel Michael is commemorated by the Eastern Orthodox churches on November 8, as well as on September 6, which is the date that commemorates the miracle at Colossae. He is depicted holding a sword,  which references his status as an angel warrior. Other depictions of Michael further show him slaying Satan or standing above a dragon or serpent. In this icon, Archangel Michael is also shown holding a cross, which is associated with his status as a guardian angel.