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Synaxis of the Holy Angels

The synaxis of the holy Archangel Michael and the other bodiless powers, commemorated on November 21st (the 8th, old style), is the major feast in honor of the holy angels, and was already celebrated in the 4th century as an established holiday.

According to tradition, Satan, formerly the brightest of all the heavenly spirits created by God, and usually called Lucifer or lightbearer, but who became filled with self-love, pride and evil, - fell from his archangelic power and lured away a multitude of other spirits. Then the Archangel Michael, as God's faithful servant, assembled the entire angelic host that had not been enticed by the ruinous example of satanic pride, and said: "Let us attend and stand aright before our Creator, and let us bear no ill towards Him." Appealing thus to the entire angelic host, he began to glorify the Most-holy, One-in-Essence, Indivisible Trinity - the One God, triumphantly singing: holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth.

Angelic host.
Such an assembly of holy angels is called a "synaxis of the angels," and expresses attentiveness, like-mindedness, concord, unity. The words of the angels' declaration - "Who is like God?" - mean MI-CHA-EL in ancient Hebrew, and have become the name of the greatest of the angels who had remained on the side of good, - the celestial warrior and the leader of the angelic host - the Archangel Michael.

Size 8" wide by 11" tall

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