Saints Cyril & Methodius
Bulgarian Orthodox Mission
(web address: www.bocdc.org)
Meeting
at St. Luke Orthodox Church
6801
Georgetown Pike,
McLean, VA 22101
- The Heavenly
Host of Angels -
Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the Other Bodiless Powers of Heaven: Archangels Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Selaphiel, Jegudiel, and Barachiel
Sunday, November 8, 2009
His Beatitude, Metropolitan JONAH
The Very Reverend Timothy Perry
Orthodox Church in America
Diocese of Washington
The Holy Angels
The Synaxis of the Chief of
the Heavenly Hosts, Archangel Michael and the Other Heavenly Bodiless Powers:
Archangels Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Selaphiel, Jehudiel, Barachiel, and
Jeremiel was established at the beginning of the fourth century at the Council
of Laodicea, which met several years before the First Ecumenical Council. The
35th Canon of the Council of Laodicea condemned and denounced as heretical the
worship of angels as gods and rulers of the world, but affirmed their proper
veneration.
A Feastday was established in
November, the ninth month after March (with which the year began in ancient
times) since there are Nine Ranks of Angels. The eighth day of the month was
chosen for the Synaxis of all the Bodiless Powers of Heaven since the Day of
the Dread Last Judgment is called the Eighth Day by the holy Fathers. After the
end of this age (characterized by its seven days of Creation) will come the
Eighth Day, and then "the Son of Man shall come in His Glory and all the
holy Angels with Him" (Mt. 25:31).
The Angelic Ranks are divided into three
Hierarchies:
highest, middle, and lowest
The Highest Hierarchy includes: the Seraphim,
Cherubim and Thrones.
The six-winged SERAPHIM
(Flaming, Fiery) (Is 6:12) stand closest of all to the Most Holy Trinity. They
blaze with love for God and kindle such love in others.
The many-eyed CHERUBIM
(outpouring of wisdom, enlightenment) (Gen 3:24) stand before the Lord after
the Seraphim. They are radiant with the light of knowledge of God, and
knowledge of the mysteries of God. Through them wisdom is poured forth, and
people's minds are enlightened so they may know God and behold His glory.
The THRONES (Col 1:16) stand
after the Cherubim, mysteriously and incomprehensibly bearing God through the
grace given them for their service. They are ministers of God's justice, giving
to tribunals, kings, etc. the capacity for righteous judgment.
The Middle Angelic
Hierarchy consists of three Ranks: Dominions, Powers, and Authorities:
DOMINIONS (Col 1:16) hold dominion over the angels subject
to them. They instruct the earthly authorities, established by God, to rule
wisely, and to govern their lands well. The Dominions teach us to subdue sinful
impulses, to subject the flesh to the spirit, to master our will, and to
conquer temptation.
POWERS (1 Pet 3:22) fulfill the
will of God without hesitation. They work great miracles and give the grace of
wonderworking and clairvoyance to saints pleasing to God. The Powers assist
people in fulfilling obediences. They also encourage them to be patient, and
give them spiritual strength and fortitude.
AUTHORITIES (1 Pet 3:22, Col
1:16) have authority over the devil. They protect people from demonic
temptations, and prevent demons from harming people as they would wish. They
also uphold ascetics and guard them, helping people in the struggle with evil
thoughts.
The Lowest Hierarchy
includes the three Ranks: Principalities, Archangels, and Angels:
PRINIPALITIES (Col 1:16) have command
over the lower angels, instructing them in the fulfilling of God's commands.
They watch over the world and protect lands, nations and peoples.
Principalities instruct people to render proper honor to those in authority, as
befits their station. They teach those in authority to use their position, not
for personal glory and gain, but to honor God, and to spread word of Him, for the
benefit of those under them.
ARCHANGELS (1 Thess 4:16) are
messengers of great and wondrous tidings. They reveal prophecies and the
mysteries of the faith. They enlighten people to know and understand the will
of God, they spread faith in God among the people, illuminating their minds
with the light of the Holy Gospel.
ANGELS (1 Pet 3:22) are in the
lowest rank of the heavenly hierarchy, and closest to people. They reveal the
lesser mysteries of God and His intentions, guiding people to virtuous and holy
life. They support those who remain steadfast, and they raise up the fallen.
They never abandon us and they are always prepared to help us, if we desire it.
All the Ranks of the Heavenly Powers
are called angels, although each has its own name and position by virtue of
their service. The Lord reveals His will to the highest ranks of the angels,
and they in turn inform the others.
Over all the Nine Ranks, the Lord
appointed the Holy Archangel Michael (his name in Hebrew means "who is
like unto God"), the faithful servitor of God, as Chief Commander.
From ancient times the Archangel
Michael was famed for his miracles in Rus. In the Volokolamsk Paterikon is a
narrative of St Paphnutius of Borov with an account of Tatar tax-gatherers
concerning the miraculous saving of Novgorod the Great: "Therefore Great
Novgorod was never taken by the Hagarenes... when... for our sins the godless
Hagarene emperor Batu devoured and set the Russian land aflame and came to
Novgorod, and God and the Most Holy Theotokos shielded it with an appearance of
Michael the Archangel, who forbade him to enter into it. He [Batu] was come to
the Lithuanian city and came toward Kiev and saw the stone church, over the
doors of which the great Archangel Michael had written and spoken to the prince
his allotted fate, 'By this we have forbidden you entry into Great
Novgorod'."
Intercession for Russian cities
by the Most Holy Queen of Heaven always involved Her appearances with the
Heavenly Hosts, under the leadership of the Archangel Michael. Grateful Rus
acclaimed the Most Pure Mother of God and the Archangel Michael in church
hymns. Many monasteries, cathedrals, court and merchant churches are dedicated
to the Chief Commander Michael.
In old Kiev at the time of the
accepting of Christianity, a cathedral of the Archangel was built, and a
monastery also was named for him. Archangel cathedrals are found at Smolensk,
Nizhni Novgorod, Staritsa, at Great Ustiug (beginning of the thirteenth
century), and a cathedral at Sviyazhsk. In Rus there was not a city, where
there was not a church or chapel dedicated to the Archangel Michael.
One of the chief temples of the
city of Moscow, the burial church in the Kremlin, is dedicated to him. Numerous
and beautiful icons of the Chief Commander of the Heavenly Hosts are also in
his Cathedral. One of these, the Icon "Blessed Soldiery," was painted
in the Dormition Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin. The saintly soldiers, Russian
princes, are depicted under the leadership of the Archangel Michael.
Holy Scripture
and Tradition Give Us the Names of the Archangels:
Gabriel: strength (power) of God, herald and servitor of
Divine omnipotence (Dan 8:16, Luke 1:26). He announces the mysteries of God.
Raphael: the healing of God, the curer of human infirmities
(Tobit 3:16, 12:15)
Uriel: the fire or light of God, enlightener (3 Ezdras
5:20). We pray for him to enlighten those with darkened minds.
Selaphiel: the prayer of God, impelling to prayer (3 Ezdras
5:16). He prays to God for mankind.
Jehudiel: the glorifying of God, encouraging exertion for the
glory of the Lord and interceding for the reward of efforts.
Barachiel: distributor of the blessings of God for good deeds,
entreats the mercy of God for people.
Jeremiel: the raising up to God (3 Ezdras 4:36)
Schedule of Divine Liturgies at
SS Cyril & Methodius and at St. George
Bulgarian Church
Nov. 15 – (Services held at Holy Resurrection Church –
St. George Church)
Nov. 22 - Entry of the
Theotokos into the Temple; Righteous Michael of Bulgaria
Dec. 6 - St. Nicholas the
Wonderworker (ca. 345)
Dec. 13 – Services held at Holy Resurrection Church –
St. George Church)
Dec. 20 - Forefeast of the
Nativity of Christ
† May
Their Memory Be Eternal
†
The
newly departed servant Stephen; the Archbishop GREGORY; the Priests Peter,
Ishmael, Leo, Homer, Victor, and Thomas; the Matushki Mary, Platonida, and
Barbara; the Readers John, Philemon, John, and Robert Michael; and the servants
of God Alexander, Sophia, Shafik, Michael, Steven, Christo, Radka, Anna, Dale,
Mary, Carmel, Thomas, Vasili, Mary Ellen, Andrew, Irene, Stamatia, Peter,
Steven, Olivera, George, Marianthe, Panaigioti, Christophor, George, Rada,
& Julia.
Those Who Are In Need of Prayer
Priests Milorad,
Photius, Anthony, and Joseph; Presbyteras Marie, Miriam, Artemis, & Marie; Alexandra,
Magdelena, Matthew, Oliver, Zell, Charlie, Theresa, Catherine, & Bojanka.