How many angels and archangels did God have. The image of archangels in religious teachings

Orthodoxy has its own traditions, which were formed in ancient times. Who are the archangels and what is their purpose can be understood if you study the Holy Scripture, which explains to us how everything works. But, even experienced theologians are not always able to decipher biblical texts, so let's turn to the basics a bit and try to figure out who the archangels are and what their functions are.

Archangels in Orthodoxy

Firstly, these characters are a kind of "leaders" of simple ones. Each archangel has its own name and functions. You can see the images of these characters on the icons. Artists often paint archangels, paying special attention to every detail of the image, for example, attributes (spear, sword, trumpet).

Orthodox faith says that there are seven archangels. Why the number of these characters is exactly this, the Bible does not say. In the texts there is only a mention that this is known only to God himself. Archangel Michael is considered the main one. In addition to him, there is also Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Selaphiel, Yehudiel and Barahiel.

The holy archangels are called not only to protect a person and guide him on the true path. Each character has its own functions, which it performs.

Archangels and their purpose in Orthodoxy

In order to understand what these characters are doing, let us turn again to the biblical texts. It is they who tell us about the exploits of the archangels, and about their appearance, and about the tasks that they perform. Unfortunately, in a number of biblical texts there are certain "inconsistencies" that do not allow us to more fully describe these saints.

1. Michael expresses all the works of God. He is depicted in white clothes and with a spear or sword in his hands. According to the texts, it was Michael who first rebelled against Lucifer. Therefore, he is depicted in such a warlike guise. In addition, on icons, he often tramples on a snake or a monster that personifies Lucifer.
2. Gabriel is the messenger of God's destiny. On the icons, he is depicted with a mirror in his hand, this is a symbol of the fact that the saint fully conveys the meaning of what is the deeds and thoughts of the Lord.
3. Raphael responsible for helping and healing. According to legend, it was he who healed the bride of the righteous Tobias.
4. Uriel illuminates the human mind. On the icons he is depicted with a sword in one hand and fire in the other. It promotes the study of various sciences.
5. Selaphiel occupies the post of chief minister.
6. Name Yehudiel in translation means God's praise. He protects the person and encourages those people who deserve it.
7. Barahiel expresses the blessing of the Lord. He is depicted wearing pink clothes.

Thus, it becomes clear that each of the archangels of God is responsible for performing certain tasks. If a person wants to ask for help and protection, one should pray to a certain saint. There are special prayers with which you can turn to the archangel.

In order to ask for protection or something from the archangels, special prayers should be said. Priests recommend going to church, finding an icon depicting a saint in charge of the area in which help is needed, and lighting a candle. In this case, one must say a special prayer, the text of which can be found in the holy books, or ask the priest.

Some people believe that archangels can only be accessed on a certain day of the week. But it's not. If it so happened that there was a need to ask for help, you can read a prayer at any time. That's what the priests say.

Like any other christian religion characterized by the presence of their traditions, which originated in the distant past. Most information about Orthodoxy can be found in the Holy Book. Among other things, the Bible is filled with a considerable number of prayers, which indicates that people are converted in the most different situations to the Lord. At the same time, the conversion does not always occur directly; quite often, archangels are resorted to in this matter.

Meanwhile, there is a certain hierarchy among the Divine associates. This is what the angelic ranks look like:

• Seraphim are six-winged creatures that are closest to God and, accordingly, have the highest rank. It is believed that they are able to arouse in the heart of the believer the strongest love for the Lord.
• Cherubim - are considered intercessors, guards of the Heavenly Book of Knowledge. The main purpose is to protect the human race and a constant prayer for souls before God.
• Thrones are creatures that help bring justice.
• Authorities are substances that hold the keys to the Devil's cell. They can easily tame demons and save humanity from temptation.
• Dominations are creatures of the second triad that control angels, and also teach how to properly control feelings in order to protect themselves from unnecessary and demonic impulses.
• Forces - the so-called caste of angels, who instantly fulfill the will of God, while showing his strength and strength.
• The beginnings are the legions of angels who valiantly stood up for the defense of religion. They govern the universe and protect it from everything God has created.
• Archangels are considered great evangelists who understand and know the will of the Creator, and also reveal prophecies to the world.
• Angels are the closest beings to a person who are called upon to protect him.

Archangels and angels

Like any person in Everyday life , archangels and angels, whose classification is striking, have a number of duties. In order to get acquainted with everything in more detail, you must first determine who the archangels and angels are.

So, archangels are called invisible and incorporeal substances that are completely filled with spirituality and act only according to the will of God. It is they who come to the aid of believers in difficult life situations.

Angels, on the other hand, are considered beings - immortal and incorporeal, who have the unique ability to take on any form depending on the situation. Most often they appear before a person as a man. According to Christian Orthodoxy, angels have wings and can fly. It is also believed that every person from birth to the end of years accompanies the guardian in the form of this creature.

Main differences

An interesting fact is that each highest angel has at least 12 angels in his submission. This suggests that higher beings have a higher rank. That is why they all have names and special purpose, in turn, angels are beings nameless.

In order to enlist support, it is necessary to read special prayers. It is permissible to address angels in simple words.

In total, seven archangels are distinguished in Orthodoxy:

It is worth noting that there is no female archangel, since there are only seven of them, and they are all men.

Request for help

When referring to the archangels, it is imperative to use a prayer request, which can be found in the Bible. At the same time, it is worth remembering that, regardless of who you want to turn to, you must first read a prayer to the Archangel Michael. This is due to the fact that he is the main assistant of the Lord.

Archangels are called great evangelizers, announcing the great and glorious. Archangels reveal prophecies, knowledge and understanding of the will of God, strengthen the holy faith in people, enlightening their minds with the light of knowledge of the Holy Gospel, and reveal the sacraments of pious faith. The names of the Archangels are known from the Holy Scriptures. Each of them has a special ministry. Archangels: Michael, Gabriel, Uriel, Raphael, Selaphiel, Yehudiel, Barahiel, Jeremiel.

Archangel Michael.

Archangel Michael (who is like God) is the leader of the heavenly host.

They say that Satan takes great credit for making the painters NOT DESIGN themselves defeated under the feet of the Patron of the human race. On this drawing under the feet of the Archangel Michael is the defeated devil.

Dan. 10, 13; 12, 1.
Jude. Art. 9.
open 12:7-8.

"Michael, one of the first princes, came to help me." (Dan. 10:13)

Oh, the great Archangel of God, Archangel Michael, the conqueror of demons! Defeat and crush all my enemies, visible and invisible, and pray to the Lord Almighty, may the Lord save and save me from all sorrows and from all illnesses, from mortal ulcers and vain (sudden) death.

Holy Archangel of God Michael! Drive away from me with your lightning sword the spirit of the evil, sad, tempting me, now and forever and forever and ever. Amen.

When Satan rebelled against God, saying "I will exalt my throne above the stars of God... I will be like the Most High" (Is. 14:13-14), then the Archangel of God Michael opposed him, answering: "Who is like God? No one is like God!" . And then the whole angelic world was divided.

"And there was a war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought against them, but did not stand ... And the great dragon, the ancient serpent, called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole universe, was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him, and I heard loud voice who says in heaven: Now is come salvation, and power, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ, because the slanderer is cast down." (Rev. 12:7-10).

Since then, God has blessed this zealous Archangel to participate in spiritual battles as the Archangel of the incorporeal forces and called him Michael, which in translation means Who is God. Who is equal to God.

The book "A Guide to the Painting of Icons of Saints" says that the holy Archangel Michael "is depicted trampling (trampling underfoot) Lucifer and, like a winner, holding a green date branch in his left hand on his chest, and in right hand a spear, on top of which is a white banner, with the image of a red cross, in commemoration of the victory of the Cross over the devil. "(Academician V.D. Fartusov, Moscow, Synod. Type., 1910, p. 226).

Russian Chrysostom, Archbishop Innokenty of Kherson wrote as an edification: “He was the first to rebel against Lucifer (Satan) when he rebelled against the Almighty. for the glory of the Creator and Lord of all, for the salvation of the human race, for the Church and her children.

... Therefore, for those who are adorned with the name of the first of the Archangels, it is most fitting to be distinguished by zeal for the glory of God, loyalty to the King of Heaven and the kings of the earth, the constant war against vice and wickedness, constant humility and selflessness "(Seven Archangels of God, M., 1996, p. .5-6).

Commemoration of the Holy Archangel Michael church calendar takes place on November 8 (O.S.) and September 6 (O.S.).

Holy Archangel Michael, help me defeat enemies, visible and invisible, and adversaries who fight against my soul and body. And pray to God for me a sinner. Amen.

Archangel Gabriel.

Archangel Gabriel (from Hebrew - the husband of God). One of the highest angels, in the Old and New Testaments, appears as a bearer of joyful gospels. He announces to the priest Zechariah in the temple, while offering incense, the birth of John the Baptist, the Ever-Virgin in Nazareth - the birth of the Savior of the world. According to the Bible, he is considered the guardian angel of the chosen people. Kabbalists consider him the teacher of Patriarch Joseph; according to the teachings of the Mohammedans - from him Mohammed received his revelations and was carried away to Heaven by him. It is depicted on icons with candles and a jasper mirror as a sign that the ways of God are not clear until the time, but are comprehended through time by studying the word of God and obedience to the voice of conscience.

Mentioned in canon books:
Dan. 8, 16 and 9, 21;
OK. 1, 9 and 26.

"The Archangel Gabriel was sent from God." (Luke 1:26)

Oh, the great Archangel of God Gabriel! You announced to the Most Pure Virgin Mary the conception of the Son of God. Raise to me, a sinner, the terrible day of my death, and pray to the Lord God for my sinful soul, may the Lord forgive my sins, and the devils will not keep me in tollhouses for my sins.

Holy Archangel of God Gabriel, bringing unspeakable joy from Heaven to the Blessed Virgin Mary! Fill my heart, grieved with pride, with joy and joy, and save me from all troubles and serious illness, now and forever and forever and ever. Amen.

When the holy prophet Daniel received from God a prophetic vision of future fate world, and wondered what it means, then he heard the voice of God: "Gabriel! Explain this vision to him!" (Dan. 8:16). Another time, as the prophet says: "Gabriel .., having quickly arrived, touched me ... and admonished me ... and said:" Daniel! Now I have come out to teach you understanding." (Dan. 9; 21-22).

Indeed, the holy herald of the mysteries of God explained everything to the prophet Daniel and, having enlightened him, gave the understanding of seventy weeks, after which the Savior of the world was to be born.

Later, the holy Archangel Gabriel was sent by God to announce the birth of John the Baptist to Zacharias, and to the Blessed Virgin Mary to predict the birth of the Savior from Her (Luke 1:5-38). “This same Archangel, according to God-wise men, was sent to strengthen the Savior in the Garden of Gethsemane and to proclaim to the Mother of God Her all-honorable Assumption. Therefore, the Church calls him a minister of miracles,” writes St. Innocent, Archbishop of Kherson (cited essay, p. 7 ).

The Holy Archangel Gabriel, as explained in the "Guide to the Painting of Icons", "is depicted holding a lantern with a candle lit inside in his right hand, and a stone mirror in his left." (Fartusov, p. 226). This mirror of green jasper (jasper) with black and white spots on it, illuminated by the light of truth, reflects the good and bad deeds of the peoples, proclaims to people the mysteries of God's economy, the salvation of mankind.

The name Gabriel, received by the Archangel from God, means in Russian the Fortress of God or the Power of God.

Holy Archangel Gabriel, bring joy to me and the salvation of my soul. And pray to God for me a sinner. Amen.

Archangel Uriel.

Archangel Uriel (fire of God).

3 Ezd. 4, 1; 5, 20.

"Archangel Uriel commanded me." (3 Ezra. 5:20).

Oh, the great Archangel of God Uriel! You are the radiance of the Divine fire and the illuminator of those darkened by sins, enlighten my mind, my heart and my will with the power of the Holy Spirit, and guide me on the path of repentance, and implore the Lord God, may the Lord deliver me from the hell of the underworld and from all enemies visible and invisible.

Holy Archangel of God Uriel, illumined by the light of God and abundantly filled with fire and fiery hot love! Throw a spark of this fiery fire into my cold heart, illuminate my dark soul with your light, now and forever and forever and ever. Amen.

The name of this Archangel of God is known thanks to the third book of Ezra, the last book of the Old Testament.

The Holy Archangel Uriel was sent by God to the pious and learned priest Ezra, who lived in the 5th century BC, to give him an answer about the signs and time of the end of this world.

“I am allowed to tell you about these signs, and if you pray again and weep, as now, and fast for seven days, you will hear even more of this.” (3 Ezra 5;13) - The holy messenger of God Uriel spoke to Ezra. So, after each nightly conversation, the Archangel reminded the priest: "Pray unceasingly to the Almighty, and I will come and speak with you." (3 Ezra 9:25).

And the Lord spoke to Ezra through His heavenly messenger: “The more you experience, the more you will be surprised, because this age is quickly hastening to its end and cannot contain what is promised to the righteous in future times, because this age is filled with unrighteousness and infirmities. ." (3 Ezra. 4:25).

According to Tradition Orthodox Church, the holy Archangel Uriel was appointed by God to guard Paradise after the fall and exile of Adam. According to the teachings of the Holy Fathers, Archangel Uriel, being the radiance of the Divine Fire, is the enlightener of the darkened, unbelievers and ignoramuses. And the very name of the Archangel, corresponding to his special service, means the Fire of God or the Light of God.

According to the icon-painting canon of the Orthodox Church, the holy Archangel named the Fire of God "is depicted holding a naked sword in his right hand against his chest, and a fiery flame in his left." (Fartusov, p. 226).

“As an Angel of light, he enlightens the minds of people with the revelation of truths that are useful to them; as an Angel of Divine Fire, he kindles hearts with love for God and destroys unclean earthly attachments in them,” explains Vladyka Innokenty, Archimandrite of Kherson. (Cit. Op., p. 10).

Holy Archangel Uriel, enlighten my darkened mind and defiled by my passions. And pray to God for me a sinner.

Archangel Raphael.

Archangel Raphael (God's help).

Mentioned in a non-canonical book:
Tov. 3, 16; 12, 12-15.

"Raphael was sent to heal." (Tov. 3;16)

O great Archangel of God Raphael, received a gift from God to heal ailments! Heal the incurable ulcers of my heart and many diseases of my body.

Holy Archangel of God Raphael! You are a guide, a doctor and a healer, guide me to salvation, and heal all my mental and physical illnesses, and lead me to the Throne of God, and implore His goodness for my sinful soul, may the Lord forgive me and save me from all my enemies and from evil people, otnyh and up to the century. Amen.

The Bible contains a beautiful life story of a godly family. This is the book of Tobiah, which is especially edifying. Here we see the invisible service of the angels of God to us.

Tobit, the father of Tobiah, and the bride of Tobiah were seriously ill. And the Lord sent the holy Archangel Raphael for healing. When Tobit, miraculously clear, wanted to give the stranger half of his estate in gratitude, Raphael told them: “now God has sent me to heal you and your daughter-in-law ... I am Raphael, one of the seven holy angels who lift up the prayers of the saints and rise before the glory of the Holy One ... Bless God forever. For I came not of my own free will, but of the will of our God; therefore bless him forever." (Tov. 12:14-18).

"Very instructive are the words spoken by this Archangel when he was separated from Tobit's family. "A good deed is prayer with fasting and almsgiving and justice, for almsgiving delivers from death and can cleanse every sin ... your charity was not hidden from me, but I was with you" (Comrade 12; 8-9; 13). Therefore, whoever wants to be worthy of the heavenly help of Raphael, first of all, he himself needs to be merciful to those in need. - Instructs Archbishop Innokenty of Kherson (Cit. Op., p. 9).

Raphael in Aramaic means Healing of God or Healing of God.

The "Guide to the Painting of Icons" briefly explains that: "The Holy Archangel Raphael, the doctor of human ailments: is depicted holding a vessel (alavaster) with medical agents (medicine) in his left hand, and a pod in his right hand, that is, shorn bird feather for anointing wounds." (Fartusov, p. 226).

Holy Archangel Raphael, heal my ailments, both spiritual and physical passions. And pray to God for me a sinner. Amen.

Archangel Selaphiel.

Archangel Salafiel (prayer to God).

Mentioned in a non-canonical book:
3 Ezd. 5, 16.

"An angel of God called from heaven." (Gen. 21:17).

O great Archangel of God Salafiel, who gives prayer to those who pray! Teach me to pray with a fiery, humble, contrite, heartfelt, concentrated and tender prayer.

Holy Archangel of God Salafiel! You pray to God for the people of the believers, pray to His goodness for me, a sinner, may the Lord deliver me from all troubles and sorrows, and from illnesses, and from vain death, and from eternal torment, may the Lord grant me the Kingdom of Heaven with all the Saints, in ages of ages. Amen.

The Holy Archangel Salafiel, whose name in Aramaic means the Angel of Prayer, Prayer to God, or the Prayer Book of God, according to the Orthodox Church, appeared to Hagar in the desert when Abraham sent her with her son to Egypt, to their homeland. "She went and got lost in the wilderness ... there was no water ... and she left the lad under one bush and went ... For she said: I do not want to see the death of the lad. And she ... raised a cry and wept, and God heard the voice of the lad ... and the Angel of God from heaven called to Hagar, and said to her, "What is the matter with you, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God heard the voice of the lad from where he is; rise, lift up the lad and take his hand ... And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water alive, and went and filled the bottle with water and gave the lad to drink. (Gen. 21:14-19).

“And so the Lord gave us a whole face of prayer angels, with their leader Salafiel,” writes Vladyka Innokenty of Kherson, “so that with the pure breath of their mouths they warm our cold hearts to prayer, to instruct us when and how to pray, to offer up our very offerings to the throne of grace. When you see, brethren, on the icon of the Archangel, standing in a position of prayer, with his eyes lowered down, with his hands applied with reverence to his Persians (to his chest), then know that this is Salafiel. (Cit. Op., pp. 11-12).

The book "Guidelines for the Painting of Icons" says: "The Holy Archangel Salafiel, a prayer book, always praying to God for people and arousing people to prayer. He is depicted with his face and eyes bowed (lowered) down, and his hands pressed (folded) in a cross on chest, as if tenderly praying." (Farusov, pp. 226-227).

Holy Archangel Salafiel, excite me day and night to the Divine doxology. And pray to God for me a sinner. Amen.

Archangel Yehudiel.

Archangel Yehudiel (Praise God).

"He will command his angels about you - to guard you in all your ways." (Ps. 90:11).

Oh, the great Archangel of God Jehudiel, zealous defender of the glory of God! You excite me to glorify the Holy Trinity, awaken me lazy to glorify the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and implore the Lord Almighty to create a pure heart in me, and renew the spirit of rights in my womb, and with the Master’s spirit will confirm me to worship God in spirit and in truth.

Holy Archangel of God Yehudiel, ever-present companion and intercessor of all those who labor on the path of Christ! Wake me up from the heavy sleep of sinful laziness, and enlighten me and strengthen me with a good feat, in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and forever and ever. Amen.

According to the sacred tradition of the Orthodox Church, God sent the Archangel Jehudiel to precede the people who profess the one true God in conquering the land of the pagan peoples.

Moses, after forty days of fasting and prayers, ascended Mount Sinai, where God gave him the Law, which the entire Old Testament Church had to observe. And Moses conveyed to the people of God the words spoken by the Lord: “Behold, I am sending my angel before you to keep you on the way and lead you to the place that I have prepared for you; watch yourself before Him and listen to His voice; do not be stubborn against Him, because he will not forgive your sin, for my name is in him." (Ex. 23; 20-21).

Then God revealed to people that not only every person, but even a nation, needs the constant help of the Angels of God on the way to the place that "God has prepared for those who love Him." (1 Cor. 2; 9).

The name of the Holy Archangel Jehudiel translated into Russian is the Glorifier of God or the Praise of God, because he really, as the inscription on the fresco of the Cathedral of the Annunciation says, "has the ministry of approving people who work in honor or, for the glory of God, ask for retribution."

As explained in the "Guide to the Painting of Icons", the Archangel of God Yehudiel "is depicted holding a golden crown in his right hand, as a reward from God for useful and pious works to holy people, and in his left hand a scourge of three black ropes with three ends, as a punishment for sinners for laziness to pious labors." (Fartusov, p. 227).

“Each of us, young and old, is obliged to live and work for the glory of God,” writes Archbishop Innokenty of Kherson. “The greater the feat, the higher and brighter the reward. In the right hand of the Archangel is not just a crown: it is a reward for every Christian working in the glory of God." (Op. cit., p. 13).

Holy Archangel Jehudiel, confirm me for every work and work. And pray to God for me a sinner. Amen.

Archangel Varahiel.

Archangel Varahiel (God's blessing).

This name is known only by tradition. It is not found in the Bible and the Gospel.

"My angel is with you, and he is the protector of your souls." (Jer. 6).

O great Archangel of God Barahiel, coming to the Throne of God and from the Throne bringing blessing to the house of God's servants! Ask the Lord God for mercy and blessings, may the Lord bless from Zion and from His holy mountain, and multiply the abundance of the fruits of the earth, and give us health and salvation, victory and overcoming enemies, and save us for many years.

Holy Archangel Varahiel, bringing blessing from the Lord to us! Bless me to lay the foundation for a good correction of my negligent life, so that I will please the Lord my Savior in everything, now and forever and forever and ever. Amen.

Barahiel - Blessing of God.

The book "Guide to the Painting of Icons" says the following about him: "The Holy Archangel Barachiel, the distributor of God's blessings and intercessor, asking God's favors for us: he is depicted carrying white roses on his chest on his clothes, as if rewarding, at the command of God, for prayers, labors and moral behavior of people and heralding bliss and endless peace in the Kingdom of Heaven. (Fartusov, p. 227). These white roses mean the blessing of God. What could be purer and more fragrant than white roses, from which rose oil is extracted? So the Lord, through His Archangel Varahiel, sends His blessing from the depths of his clothes for prayers and labors to people.

“Inasmuch as the blessings of God are different,” writes St. Innocent of Kherson, “then the ministry of this Angel is diverse: through him the blessing of God is sent to every deed, to every good worldly occupation.” (Cit. cit., p. 14).

Holy Archangel Barahiel, intercede for me mercy from the Lord. And pray to God for me a sinner. Amen.

Archangel Jeremiel.

Archangel Jeremiel (the height of God).

Mentioned in a non-canonical book:
3 Ezd. 4, 36.

“To this Jeremiel the Archangel answered me” (3 Ezra 4:36)

“In the III book of Ezra (4; 36) the Archangel Jeremiel (the height of God) is also mentioned,” writes Archimandrite Nikifor in the “Biblical Encyclopedia” (M., 1891, p. 63). He was present at the first conversation of the Archangel Uriel with the priest Ezra and answered the latter's question about the signs preceding the end of the sinful world, and about the beginning of the eternal kingdom of the righteous.

Each angel corresponds to a certain category, the highest of which - the archangel - only seven of them have.

Theologians have tried to understand what the essence of the concept of archangels and their purpose have been from ancient times to the present day.

Seven Archangels and their names

In Christian sources one can find references to different amount archangels, but church traditions there are seven of them:

1. Michael.
2. Gabriel.
3. Raphael.
4. Uriel.
5. Selaphiel.
6. Yehudiel.
7. Barahiel.

What is the difference between an angel and an archangel

Like angels, archangels have mystical abilities, convey the will of God, and do not have flesh. In the images, we see them as winged creatures, otherwise similar to humans.

Angels are the main helpers of people in everyday life. They help to cope with difficulties, convey the will of God, help people become better. Even next to sinners there are their own angels, supporting them, helping to repent, gain forgiveness and avoid sinful acts in the future.

Both personally a person and his family, church, country have their own angels, the number of which cannot be counted because of their immortality and constant replenishment.

Archangels also announce more important events. Through their mediation, God influences a person's life only in exceptional situations. They help people to strengthen their faith, to know the true meaning of sacred texts.

For the countless Host of Heaven, fighting the dark forces, the archangels are Archangels.

Archangel Gabriel helps in what (messages of Archangel Gabriel for every day)

Mentions of the archangel Gabriel can be found in both testaments. In Judaism, he is known as Gabriel. The Old Testament describes the appearance of Gabriel to the prophet Daniel in order to tell about the end of days.

New Testament references to Gabriel are related:

• with the Virgin Mary and the transmission of the good news to her;
• with a revelation to the father of John the Baptist about the imminent appearance of his son;
• with the myrrh-bearing women, to whom the archangel told about the accomplished Resurrection.

In addition, there is information about the involvement of Gabriel in teaching Moses to read and write, the prophecy about the birth of the Mother of God.

People turn to Gabriel for help in finding love, friendship and peace in the family, peace in the house, and the health of children. He guides believers to the right life path, right choice in difficult situations.

This archangel is next to God, he protects people from any manifestation of evil.

Help of Archangel Michael in our days

Archangel Michael is considered the protector of believers from evil forces and diseases associated with their harmful effects, helps the saddened and sleeping, protects soldiers fighting for good purposes.

For the first time crossing the threshold of a new home, you need to turn to Archangel Michael with a request that God's grace always reign in this house.

Ancient Christian texts call Michael a judge at a terrible judgment, to which he is also destined to call souls. Thanks to Michael's weeping for sinners, Jesus subsequently grants them forgiveness.

It is Michael who is depicted as the guardian of the gates of paradise on the icons dedicated to him. In his hands is a sword that helps to prevent the unworthy from entering the Gardens of Eden.

Currently, there are stories of unexpected healings after praying to the Archangel Michael. Such cases are described in Greece in 1987 and in Italy in 1993. To receive the help of the Archangel Michael, you need to turn to him with a sincere request and faith in your heart.

Archangel Raphael in Orthodoxy

The name of the archangel Raphael in different versions of the translation has one meaning - healing. This is also its main purpose.

Encountering the mention of Raphael in Holy Scripture, we read about its connection with medicine, for example, an explanation of how to use in medicinal purposes fish organs, relief of Abraham's suffering after circumcision in old age, help to Jacob, wounded in battle.

The most powerful archangel in the bible

Trying to name the most powerful archangel, you can follow different classifications by studying the ranks of heavenly protectors. However, most sources recognize the primacy of Michael, sometimes putting Gabriel on the same level with him and calling them the spiritual brothers of the Archangels, the leaders.

Archangel Michael in some theological writings is called the only archangel, while the rest of his brethren are simply angels.

Although this opinion is not universally accepted, Michael's name is mentioned first in the list of archangels, and he is considered the most significant figure of his kind.

Archangel Selaphiel icon

The icon of Archangel Seraphiel, upon its careful examination, easily clarifies its purpose and essence. A bowed head, prayerfully crossed hands on the chest - the most suitable position for talking with God.

Seraphiel helps prayers reach their destination. He patronizes the communication of people with the Creator, teaches to correctly interpret the issues of faith.

The image of Seraphiel, placed in the house, as well as timely and competent appeal to him, will help a person to correctly find his life path, strengthen his faith, and find a way out of an impasse.

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Below is the most reliable information about the messengers of the Lord, which include:

1. (whose name means "The Lord is my strength") - is a messenger of God's fate. On miraculous images, he is usually depicted holding a mirror in his hand, as a symbol of the fact that the great martyr fully conveys the essence of what is considered the thoughts and deeds of the Almighty.
2. Michael (meaning like the Lord) - by himself he shows all the Lord's deeds. He is mainly depicted with a sword or a spear in his hands and in a white robe. Based on the scripture, it was this Saint who first rebelled against Lucifer, which is why he is depicted in such a warlike manner. On some miraculous faces, he is shown killing a monster or a snake, which is the embodiment of Lucifer. ascend by believers for help and intercession.
3. The list of Archangels also includes Uriel, who is able to illuminate human minds, that is, to contribute to the development of many sciences. On church images, he is depicted with fire in one hand, and with a sword in the other.
4. Varahail - conveys the Divine blessing. Usually represented on icons in pink robes.
5. Jehudiel, whose name in translation sounds like the Lord's praise, is called upon to protect and encourage those believers who really deserve it.
6. Raphael helps those in need and has the gift of healing. According to one of the legends, it was this Saint who cured the bride of the Great Martyr Tobias.
7. Selaphiel is the supreme minister of prayer appeal.

How to ask for help from the Archangels

If an Orthodox believer wants to ask for protection and help from the Blagovestniks, then he should make special prayer requests that can be found in holy books or asked from a clergyman.

Here is one of those prayers that need to be said in the morning hours and for the dream to come:

“Oh Saint Michael the Archangel, have mercy on us sinners who need your help, save us, the servants of God from all visible and invisible troubles, deliver us from the horror of death and from the temptation of the devil and help us to stand before our God without shame in the hour of terrible and His righteous judgment. Great Michael Archangel, do not deprive us of attention, slaves of sinners, praying to you and other archangels for your help and intercession now and in the future. Help us with you to glorify the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen."

Only Michael is mentioned here, because according to all the rules, it is with him that one should enter into a dialogue in the face of all the Saints, for he is the main Lord's helper who watches everything that happens around people.

The Lord is always with you!