Golden cross Archangel Michael p02643 Onyx

On the icon, made in the shape of an equilateral cross, Archangel Michael is depicted galloping on a winged horse and blowing a horn. This is a vivid image created by Russian icon painting, where Archangel Michael is presented as the supreme military leader, convening the heavenly army to fight the forces of evil.

The Holy Scripture, telling about the appearance of angels to various people, names only some of them by their own names - apparently, those who carry a special mission in establishing the Kingdom of God on earth. One of them is Archangel Michael. This is the highest angel who takes the most active part in the destinies of the Church, the “standard bearer of Christ.” His name in Hebrew means “Who is like God?”

The icon, which depicts the mighty archangel, is made in the shape of a cross, which symbolically indicates his special closeness to God. However, this icon does not replace the pectoral cross, just as the image of Archangel Michael cannot replace the image of Jesus Christ. On the front side of the Christian cross the Savior Himself or His symbolic image must necessarily be depicted: Golgotha, Christma (the initials of Christ written in a special way), an eight-pointed cross.

The Christian Church reveres Archangel Michael as a defender of the faith, a fighter against heresies and all evil. But the archangel fights not only for the entire Church. He also fights irreconcilably for the single human soul. Therefore, they pray to Archangel Michael for the deceased, for those who have gone to war, those in difficult life situations, and those simply lost. “Cover me with the blood of your wings, Michael the Archangel,” is written on the back of the icon. At the beginning of the 4th century, the Church established the feast of the “Council” (i.e., the assembly) of the holy angels, led by Archangel Michael. It is celebrated on November 21 (8).