Michael, Gabriel and Rafael are the only Archangels mentioned by name in the catalogue of saints. The church remembers them on September 29.
Originally, however, this date commemorated in the Church the ordination of the Roman Basilica in 530 and mentioned only Saint Michael. In the past there was even a period erstwhile this day was a compulsory vacation for Catholics!
Why did the Church set a liturgical day to commemorate the Archangels? Who were they? Do they inactive exist? How do they affect our lives?
Here are the six most crucial facts about the Archangels:
1. Who is the Archangel?
The word “Archangel” (Gr. archangelos) means the “high rank of an angel” – just as the “archishop” means the advanced rank of a bishop.
It is worth remembering that only Saint Michael is mentioned in the Scriptures as the Archangel: “While Michael was in dispute with the Devil about Moses’ body, he did not dare to cast a blasphemous judgment, but said: Lord punish you(Jud 1, 9). Unfortunately, we have no further information on this dispute. Interestingly, St. Michael does not dare to give judgement against Satan himself, he gives this work to the Lord God. These are the only words he says in Scripture: Lord punish youOh, my God!
However, the saints Gabriel and Rafael are besides widely worshipped as Archangels.
Traditionally, angels are divided into “nine choirs”. This hierarchy is based on 9 angel ranks that can be found in the Scriptures.
St. Gregory the large mentioned these “chorries” in his homily: “We have said that there are 9 angelic choruses, namely, we know from the Scriptures that there are angels, archangels, powers, powers, powers, principalities, dominions, thrones, cherubs, and seraphim” (Grzegor the Great, Homilie for the Gospels, Warsaw 1970: 2, 34, 7).
Although Saint Michael has authority over another angels, he himself is subject to the Lord Jesus, who is far superior to him. Michael the archangel is not equal to Jesus, the boy of God, whom all angels should worship (cf. Heb 1:5-9).
2. Why are they called saints erstwhile they are angels and not men?
Of Greek hágios means ‘holy’. However, this word does not mention exclusively to the “holy man,” but may mention to saints who are not men. Since the saints Michael, Gabriel and Rafael have sided with God and not the devil, they are holy angels, or supernatural saints, sanctified by religion, surrounded by worship and worship.
All the angels who stand by God are saints, but these 3 names are known to us and so distinguished in the liturgy.
3. What task did the Archangels have?
Very different. The lowest ranks of angels are those that are best known to us due to the fact that they communicate with us or interact with us. Michael is believed to be the angel who provided divine inspiration to St. John in Revelation. Saint Michael the Archangel is besides known for his function in expelling the rebellious angel Lucifer from Heaven. He is besides recognized as a protector of the Church, protecting from evil.
In Revelation, St. John is the Archangel Michael and his angels are to fight Satan: “And there was a conflict in heaven: Michael and his angels were to fight the Dragon. And the Dragon and his angels fought, but he did not prevail, and there was no place for them in heaven. And the large Dragon was thrown down, the ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan (..)” (Ap 12:7-9).
Saint Gabriel was first mentioned in the Book of Daniel, erstwhile this helps Daniel in his mission on earth. Later, the angel Gabriel appears to Zechariah and the Blessed Virgin Mary, giving the top and top message of all time concerning the incarnation of the boy of God and the association with man.
The book of Tobias mentions the angel Rafael, who was to heal Tobias and free Sarah from demons. Rafael did both, leading and teaching Tobias in the course of their common way.
4. Do the Archangels have wings, bodies, and swords?
I don't know. Unlike us, angels are pure spirits and have nothing material. Sometimes they look like a man, but it's just their apparent face that can take on.
American Catholic, writer, publicist and university lecturer Dr. Peter Kreeft explains this perfectly in his book Angels and Demons: “Because of not having bodies, angels do not occupy space as we do and decision around our planet without occupying space. The best analogy to illustrate how angels decision is electrons and particle leaps. Angels move fast from 1 place to another, without passing through any space or time between them.’
On the another hand, even if they do not have material bodies, angels can affect and affect the material world. They are pure spirits (like God) and have specified intelligence and intellectual power that they can decision material things or take the form of a human body. How precisely all this happens remains a mystery. Saint Thomas of Aquinas digs into this subject in the Theological Sum.
It is worth remembering that wings and swords are nothing but an artistic representation of the roles and actions of angels in our planet as messengers and guardians.
5. Can the Archangels defend us from evil?
Ba! If Saint Michael and the Heavenly Host can drive Satan and his servants out of Heaven, then angels are surely able to fight the demons tormenting the planet and defend us from their influence. 1 of the top prayers to St. Michael is the prayer, which for many years was regularly spoken at the conclusion of the Holy Mass:
“Holy Michael the Archangel! aid us in battle, and against wickedness and the ambush of evil spirit, be our protector. May God slay him, we humbly ask for it, and you, the chief of the heavenly hosts, Satan, and another evil spirits, who, at the demolition of the souls of men, circulate in this world, by the power of God to cast into hell. Amen’.
6. Are Archangels in the modern world?
Yeah. And fortunately, angels do not trust on our religion in their existence. God created them immortal spirits at the beginning of time, and they will not cease to be for all eternity.
We do not necessarily request to see them, hear them, or feel their presence, but they are real as the screen you have in front of you. Sometimes they make us realize they're close. However, most of the time they are very busy protecting us, without our awareness, from the harm that threatens us. What would happen if they were not here?
Children realize that angels be and trust completely that they are present and pray to them without hesitation. possibly we request any simplicity of a childlike heart to renew our religion in these heavenly beings: “Truly, I say to you, If you do not change and become like children, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 18:3).
malk
