The Synaxis of Michael the Chief Commander and of the Other Bodieless Hosts, Raphael, Uriel, Salaphiel, Jegudiel, and Barachiel

My beloved spiritual children in Christ Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE. Ο ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΕΝ ΤΩ ΜΕΣΩ ΗΜΩΝ! ΚΑΙ ΗΝ ΚΑΙ ΕΣΤΙ ΚΑΙ ΕΣΤΑΙ.

A PRAYER REQUEST TO YOUR GUARDIAN ANGEL

O Holy Angel, guardian and protector of my soul and body, Heavenly compassion of my life, do not abandon me, a sinner, nor let the enemy overwhelm me through my weaknesses. Take hold of my weak and feeble hand and guide me on the way of salvation. Yes, O Holy Angel of God, guardian and protector of my soul and body, overlook the many ways by which I have grieved you, all the days of my life. Protect me during this day, and guard me from every temptation of the evil one, that I may not anger God by falling into sin. Pray for me that I may have a holy fear of not offending God, and that I may prove to be a worthy servant of His Goodness. Amen.

+

[Taken from A Supplicatory Canon to the Guardian Angel of a Man's life]:

O Holy Angel, my Guardian intercede in my behalf O divine Angel of God Almighty, I hymn thee, the unsleeping guardian of my soul, the protector of my life, and the guide given me from God. O Holy Angel, my Guardian intercede in my behalf Wishing that all mortals be saved, Thou hast appointed Holy Angels to be guides and enlighteners unto men, to lead us into Thy fear O Word.

SESSIONAL HYMN

O Guardian of my soul and body, O divine and all-holy Angel appointed to me by God: in imitation of God, overlook all the offences of my miserable soul; deliver me from the diverse snares of the wily one, and make the God Whom we have in common merciful that He may grant me remission at the judgment.

++++

THE SYNAXIS OF MICHAEL THE CHIEF COMMANDER AND OF THE OTHER BODILESS HOSTS, RAPHAEL, URIEL, SALAPHIEL, JEGUDIEL, AND BARACHIEL.

All the Angels, according to the Apostle Paul, are ministering spirits, "sent forth to minister to them who shall be heirs of salvation" (Hebrews 1:14). God set them as overseers of every nation and people, and guides to that which is profitable (Deuteronomy 32:6); and while one Angel is appointed to oversee each nation as a whole, one is also appointed to protect each Christian individually. He commands them to guard them that hope on Him, that nothing should harm them, neither should any evil draw near to their dwelling (Psalm 90:10-12). In the Heavens they always behold the face of God, sending up to Him the Thrice-Holy Hymn and interceding with Him in our behalf, seeing they rejoice over one sinner that repents (Isaiah 6: 2-3; St. Matthew 18:10; St. Luke 15:7). In a word, they have served God in so many ways for our benefit, that the pages of Holy Scripture are filled with the histories thereof. It is for these reason that the Orthodox Catholic and Apostolic Church, wisely honoring these divine ministers, our protectors and guardians, celebrates today the present Synaxis, that is, our coming together in assembly for their common feast to chant their praises, especially for the Archangel Michael and Gabriel, who are mentioned in the Holy Scripture by name. The name Michael means "Who is like God?" and Gabriel means "God is Mighty." The number of the Angels is not defined in the Divine Scripture, where Daniel says that "thousands of thousands ministered before Him, and ten thousands of ten thousands attended upon Him" (Daniel 7:10). But all of them are divided into nine orders which are called Thrones, Cherubim, Seraphim, Dominions, Powers, Authorities, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels.

Apolytikion(Dismissal) Hymn. Fourth Tone

Supreme Commanders of the Hosts of the Heavens, we, the unworthy, importune and beseech you that by your supplications ye encircle us in the shelter of the wings of your immaterial glory, guarding us who now fall down and cry to you with fervor: Deliver us from dangers of all kinds, as the great marshals of the heavenly hosts on high.

Kontakion. Second Tone

Supreme Commanders of God and ministers of the Divine Glory, guides of men and leaders of the bodiless hosts: Ask for what is to our profit and for great mercy, since ye are Supreme Commanders of the bodiless hosts.

+++

From Great Vespers on the eve of the feast Stichera:

With a dazzling bright radiance, thou, O Michael, dost stand before the Three-Sun Divinity with the Hosts on high, O Chief Commander, in joy exclaiming: Holy art Thou, O Lord, God the Father in the heights; Holy art Thou, the Word of God co-beginningless; Holy art Thou, Divine and Holy Spirit; one Divinity, one Power, one Glory, Nature, and Sovereignty. Thou Who makest Thy ministers flames of fire, as the Scripture saith, and Thine Angels spirits, O Lord, Thou has shown forth as first among archangelic ranks great Michael, the Chief of Hosts, who fulfilleth Thy commands with devoted obedience and who crieth out with a great voice the awesome and thrice-holy hymn of praise unto Thy glory with fear and trembling, O Word of God. God, the Mind before the ages, made thee shine as a second light that enlighteneth all the world, O Archangel Gabriel, by divine co-working; and thou has revealed to us that divine and truly great mystery that was before all time, that in a virgin's womb would be embodied He that was bodiless, having willed, in His love for man, to save man by becoming man.

______________________________________________________________

MY BLESSING TO ALL OF YOU

The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.

With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia,
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+Father George