Michael the Archangel

Icon made on natural linden wood with water-gilding technique. After the thermal treatment, the wood was gilded with 22K gold leaf, in accordance with traditional Byzantine techniques. The icon has been painted with egg tempera for a higher quality and durability of the colors.

Saint Michael the Archangel

The Archangel Michael is the chief angel, the head of the holy host of Angels and Archangels. "Archangel Michael" includes five words:

arch - senior

angel - messenger

mi - who

ka - like

el - God

The literal translation of the name, "Who is like God?", suggests a questioning intonation. Thus, the name "Michael" means "no one is equal to God".

Prayer to Saint Michael

O Lord God, Great and Eternal King! Send, O Lord, Thy Archangel Michael to help Thy servant (name), and to deliver me from all my enemies, visible and invisible. O Archangel Michael, angel of the Lord and vanquisher of demons! Suppress all my combatants, make them meek as sheep, and disperse them like dust before the wind. O great Michael, Archangel of the Lord, six-winged high prince, leader of the heavenly host, the Cherubim and the Seraphim! O kind Archangel Michael, be my helper in all offenses, sorrows and woes, in the desert, at the crossroads, be a safe haven on rivers and seas. Deliver me, O great Archangel Michael, from all the temptations of the demons, when they hear me, thy sinful servant (name), praying to thee, and calling upon thee, and entreating thy holy name: hasten to assist me and heed my prayer. O great Archangel Michael! Vanquish all my opponents by the power of the Holy and Life-giving Heavenly Cross of the Lord, by the prayers of the Most-holy Theotokos and the holy apostles, the holy prophet of God Elias, Saint Nicholas the wonder worker, Saint Andrew the fool-for-Christ, the holy great martyrs Nikitas and Eustace, the venerable fathers and holy hierarchs, martyrs, and all the heavenly host. Amen.