The Feast of St. Michael and All Angels
"And war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back, but they were defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him."
Revelation 12:7-9
Today, we celebrate a major feast day in the calendar of our Church. The Feast of Saint Michael and All Angels, or Michaelmas, is a Christian festival observed on Sept. 29. The angels honored by this feast day includes Michael (the name means "Who is like God?"), Gabriel (the name means “God is my champion"), Raphael (the name means "God heals") and Uriel (the name means "God is my light”). In Christian angelology, the Archangel Michael is the greatest of all the angels and is honored for defeating the devil.
St. Michael receives mention in the Bible in the books of Daniel (10:13) and Revelation (12:7-9). Daniel had several visions which were fulfilled in the passage from Revelation when Michael guarded God’s community of believers by overcoming evil. Daniel’s visions were not fulfilled immediately and, in each case, there was a lapse of several weeks.
God is in control and will overcome evil, but do not expect an instant answer when you pray, or the answer for which you are hoping and expecting. Prayer may be challenged by evil forces, which will be overcome, so pray fervently and pray earnestly. In the picture of God sending His angels to help and defend us, we are reminded that God, instead of doing good things directly, often prefers to do them through His willing servants.
The Collect for the Feast Day of Saint Michael and All Angels
Everlasting God, you have ordained and constituted in a wonderful order the ministries of angels and mortals: Mercifully grant that, as your holy angels always serve and worship you in heaven, so by your appointment they may help and defend us here on earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(Book of Common Prayer, p. 244)
