The angel who did battle with Satan

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Image: A statue of Archangel Michael in Stavropol.

One aspect of the Russian national character under-appreciated in the West, is how martial it is, and how and why it came to be so. Due to its geographic location, Russia has had to fight with foreign armies literally ever since it emerged as an organized political entity, roughly 600 years ago, during the reign of Ivan III (+1505). Even before this consolidation, the Russian princes were in a nearly constant state of war with foreign invaders (the Mongols, Turks, Teutonic Knights and Poles), and with each other. To be a Russian man meant to be competent in the art of war, and because of this centuries-long crucible, they learned to be very good at it. It is a Russian national tradition.

A statue in Kiev

Things didn't become more peaceful after Russia consolidated. The wars continued, less with the bloodthirsty enemies to the south, who were more or less subdued by a dynamic Russia, and more with an expanding Europe - Lithuanians, Swedes, Poles, German knights, and on into the modern era, united Europe in the Napoleonic war, again united Europe in the Crimean war, WW1, WW2, and up to the present day.

It follows that the warrior angel, Archangel Michael, famous for doing battle with Satan, and often depicted slaying a dragon, would be a popular figure in Russian culture, and he very much is. Churches, monasteries, villages, cities, Tsars, and much more are named in his honor. Icons, paintings, sculpture, altars, monuments, and architecture, both new and old,  reflect his popularity in Russia to this day.

Following is a translation of an article from the Russian website 'Orthodoxy FM', describing the phenomenon:

As far back as the Old Testament he was on the side of the warriors who fought against the dominance of paganism. The Archangel foretold the birth of the strongest warrior Samson to a previously childless couple. Archangel Michael also appeared to the Maid of Orleans - Joan of Arc, instructing and strengthening her.

Since the dawn of Christianity, people in Russia have had a special love for Archangel Michael, the protector of God. This love for him is reflected in the toponymy of cities, villages and towns - his name is carried by cities: Arkhangelsk, Mikhailovsk, the village of Arkhangelskoye near Moscow, the villages of Arkhangelo and Mikhailovo in other regions of Russia.

Many tsars and princes, especially in the Romanov dynasty, were named Mikhail in honor of God's chief angel. It is no coincidence that this name was also worn by the great warriors.

Keeping watch atop St. Isaacs cathedral in St. Petersburg

He was considered the patron saint of heaven by Suvorov and Kutuzov. According to historians, the commanders did not begin the battle and did not take important strategic decisions without fervent prayer to God and Archangel Michael for guidance and help.

Some of the most common churches and monasteries throughout the Christian world are St. Michael's. The most famous of all is the Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel in the Moscow Kremlin, where the image of the Archangel Michael with his deeds is located.

He is prominently featured in Russia's new Cathedral to the Armed Forces, outside Moscow.

A miraculous story is connected with this icon in 1399 (according to other historians - in 1407). This image was ordered by Dmitry Donskoy's widow - Evdokia, who had a dream about the iconographic face of Archangel Michael depicting episodes of his famous deeds, beginning from the Old Testament. According to tradition, after this vision Evdokia lost the power of speech and only by gestures tried to explain to the iconographer what and how he should paint. As soon as the icon was ready, speech returned to Evdokia.

On this icon, the Archistrategos (another name for Archangel Michael which means 'Chief Commander' in Greek) is depicted in the center with a sword drawn, "Behold Michael, the great prince rising up, standing for the sons of your people." Along the edges of the icon are framed 14 episodes of his aid to the people. In Rus, the Archangel Michael has since ancient times been revered by the Orthodox and glorified by many miracles.

One of the great miracles, which he manifested to the Russian people is recorded in the Volokolamsk Paterikon by St. Paphnutii Borovsky. He recounts in the monastic chronicle the miraculous salvation of Great Novgorod from the invasion of the Horde. The story is recorded from the words of the Tatar baskaks. Batu Khan saw the stern and threatening Archangel Michael in a dream and forbade him to go to Veliky Novgorod. Baty was not of a timid sort, but superstitious. The warrior was frightened by the vision and turned his army to Kiev. In the capital of Kievan Rus, Batyi saw an icon with Archistrategos Michael in the temple and loudly exclaimed: "This one appeared to me in a dream and forbade me to take Great Novgorod."

Today as never before relevant prayer for the intercession of the Archistrategos Michael to help soldiers fighting for the righteous cause, honor and faith.

In the main temple of the Armed Forces of Russia, one of the altars, where the Liturgy is served, is also dedicated to the great heavenly leader - Archistrategos of God Michael.

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