The Saint Archangels Miguel, Gabriel and Raphael

The M+G+R Foundation

The Saint Archangels Miguel, Gabriel and Raphael

The Trinity (Troitsa) by Rublev, also called The Hospitality of Abraham

INTRODUCTION

The Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael are the ambassadors of the Holy Trinity. As such, they were received by the patriarch Abraham, to whom they appeared in human form (Genesis 18:1-16). They represent, respectively, an image of the Father (St. Michael), the Word (St. Gabriel) and the Holy Spirit (St. Raphael). They are the three principal of the "seven Spirits who are before the throne of God" (Tobit 11:15; Rev. 1:5).

The meeting of the three Archangels with Abraham:

Yahweh appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day. He lifted up his eyes and looked, and saw that three men stood near him.

When he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself to the earth, and said, “My lord, if now I have found favor in your sight, please don’t go away from your servant. Now let a little water be fetched, wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. I will get a piece of bread so you can refresh your heart. After that you may go your way, now that you have come to your servant.”

They said, “Very well, do as you have said.” Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Quickly prepare three seahs of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes.” Abraham ran to the herd, and fetched a tender and good calf, and gave it to the servant. He hurried to dress it. He took butter, milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them. He stood by them under the tree, and they ate. [Genesis 18:1-8]

The seven Spirits:

“I am Raphael, one of the seven holy angels which present the prayers of the saints and go in before the glory of the Holy One.” [Tobit 12:15]

John, to the seven assemblies that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from God, who is and who was and who is to come; and from the seven Spirits who are before his throne; and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. [Rev. 1:4:5]

DETAILS (1)

Angels are spirits without bodies, who possess superior intelligence, gigantic strength, and surpassing holiness. They enjoy an intimate relationship to God as is special adopted children, contemplating, loving, and praising Him in Heaven. some of them are frequently sent as messengers to men from on high.

The feast of September 29 celebrates three Angels who were sent by God to man over the course of the ages: Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. They are termed Archangels, the second of nine choirs of Angels, which are in descending order: Seraphim, cherubim Thrones, Dominations, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels.

CONTENTS

• Saint Michael the Archangel

• Saint Gabriel the Archangel

• Saint Raphael the Archangel

Saint Michael the Archangel

"Who is like to God?"

The name Michael signifies "Who is like to God?" and was the war cry of the good Angels in the battle fought in Heaven against Satan and his followers (2). Holy Scripture describes St. Michael as "one of the chief princes", and as leader of the forces of heaven in their triumph over the powers of hell. He has been especially honored and invoked as patron and protector by the Church from the time of the Apostles. Although he is always called "the Archangel", the Greek Fathers and many others place him over all the Angels - as Prince of the Seraphim.

In the Holy Scriptures, he appears in the Book of Revelation and in the Letter of the Apostle St. Jude.

There was war in the sky. Michael and his angels made war on the dragon. The dragon and his angels made war. They didn’t prevail. No place was found for them any more in heaven. [Rev 12:7-8]

But Michael, the archangel, when contending with the devil and arguing about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him an abusive condemnation, but said, “May the Lord rebuke you!” [Jude 1:9]

He is usually depicted in a warrior's costume with a spear or sword defeating the demon.

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Saint Gabriel the Archangel

"messenger of God"

The name Gabriel means "man of God", or "God has shown Himself mighty". It appears first in the prophecies of Daniel in the Old Testament. This Angel announced to Daniel the prophecy of the seventy weeks (Daniel 9:21-27). His name also occurs in the apocryphal book of Henoch (3). He was the Angel who appeared to Zechariah to announce the birth of St. John the Baptizer (Luke 1:11). Finally, he announced to Mary that she would bear a Son Who would be conceived of the Holy Spirit, Son of the Most High, and the Savior of the world (Luke 1:26).

While I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening offering. He instructed me and talked with me, and said, “Daniel, I have now come to give you wisdom and understanding. At the beginning of your petitions the commandment went out and I have come to tell you, ...” [Daniel 9:21-23]

An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, “Don’t be afraid, Zacharias, because your request has been heard. ...” ... The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.” [Luke 1:11-13,19]

Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, of David’s house. The virgin’s name was Mary. ..... The angel said to her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and shall name him ‘Jesus.’” [Luke 1:26-27,30-31]

He is depicted with a fragrant lily wand, symbolically a gift to Mary Most Holy at the Annunciation.

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Saint Raphael the Archangel

"medicine of God"

The name Raphael means "God has healed". This Angel first appears in Holy Scripture in the Book of Tobit. He acts as a guide to young Tobiah on his journey to Rages, a city in the country of the Medes, east of Nineveh, to collect a debt owed to his father. The Angel binds the demon Asmodeus in the desert of Egypt, helps Tobiah to find a wife and recover the debt, and heals Tobit from his blindness. He then reveals his identity: "I am the Angel Raphael, one of the seven who stand before the throne of God."

Then he called them both [Tobit and his son Tobias] privately, and said to them, “Bless God, and give him thanks, and magnify him, and give him thanks in the sight of all that live, for the things which he has done with you. ..... And now, when you prayed, and Sarah your daughter-in-law, I brought the memorial of your prayer before the Holy One. When you buried the dead, I was with you likewise. And now God sent me to heal you and Sarah your daughter-in-law. I am Raphael, one of the seven holy angels which present the prayers of the saints and go in before the glory of the Holy One.” [Tobit 12:6,12,14-15]

He is usually depicted as a walker, with a walking stick and the fish with which he cured Tobit.

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NOTES

(1) Text in dashed-line boxes: Text Source: "Lives of the Saints. For every day of the year. In Accord with the Norms and Principles of the New Roman Calendar." - Revision of the Original Edition of Ref. Hugo Hoever, S.O. Cist., Ph.D. - Catholic Book Publishing co. 1955 - New Jersey

(2) Men and Angels - Their Fundamental Difference Before Their Fall

(3) The Book of Enoch - Divinely Inspired or Heresy?