The archangel Michael holds a significant place in various religious traditions, and the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is no exception. He is revered as one of the seven primary archangels who stand beside God's throne and is honored for his role in defeating the Devil. Michael is the guardian of souls and a fighter against evil, whose powerful and swift aid is often invoked by the Church during times of emergency and danger.
Archangel Michael depicted in a traditional icon.
Michael in Religious Texts
Michael is mentioned in the Bible and the Qurʾān (as Mīkāl), where he is depicted as the leader of the heavenly hosts and the warrior who helps the children of Israel. Early in Christian history, he was seen as the helper of the church's armies against the heathen and the attacks of the Devil. According to rabbinic tradition, Michael acted as the advocate of Israel, and sometimes had to fight with the princes of the other nations and particularly with the angel Samael, Israel's accuser.
The rabbis declare that Michael entered into his role of defender at the time of the biblical patriarchs. Rabbi Eliezer ben Jacob said he rescued Abraham from the furnace into which he had been thrown by Nimrod (Midrash Genesis Rabbah xliv. 16). Some say he was the "one that had escaped" (Genesis 14:13), who told Abraham that Lot had been taken captive (Midrash Pirke R. Michael prevented Isaac from sacrifice by his father by substituting a ram in his place. St. Epiphanius of Salamis (c. 310 - c. 320 - 403) in his Coptic-Arabic Hexaemeron additionally referred to Michael as a replacement of Satan.
The Exodus and Archangel Michael
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church commemorates the Feast of St. Michael on the 12th of each month, dedicating Hidar 12 to the Exodus of Israel from Egypt through the archangel's help. The Exodus is the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, guided miraculously by the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night.
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The history of the Exodus dates back to Joseph, who was sold by his brothers to a caravan of Ishmaelites. Over time, a famine led Jacob and his family to settle in Egypt under Joseph's patronage. As the Israelites grew in number, the Egyptian Pharaoh feared their power and subjected them to ruthless oppression for 430 years.
God heard the Israelites' lamentation and allowed them to be liberated. The waters parted, and the multitude crossed on dry ground in an amazing miracle. When the Egyptians attempted to follow, they were drowned as the waters rushed back.
The Archangel Michael: The Untold Truth
According to Exodus, the Israelites numbered about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women, children, non-Israelites, and livestock. Moses, at 80 years old, led them out of Egypt around 1446 B.C.
The Crossing of the Red Sea, a pivotal event in the Exodus story.
The Exodus from Egypt was a landmark event in Old Testament history, teaching about God's interest in humanity. Just as the Exodus was for Israel, the death and resurrection of Christ are for Christians in the New Testament.
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The Commemoration of Archangel Michael
The church celebrates the feast of Archangel Michael, the head of the hosts of heaven, who intercedes on behalf of humanity before God's throne. Joshua saw him in great glory, and the archangel assured him of victory.
Michael was with all the saints and martyrs, strengthening them to endure their trials. Festivals of commemoration are held, and alms are offered in his name on the twelfth day of each Coptic month.
One example of his wonders involves a God-fearing couple, Dorotheus and Theopista, who celebrated the archangel's commemoration monthly. When they fell on hard times, Michael appeared to them, providing guidance and miraculous provisions, filling their containers with wine and revealing hidden gold.
The Archangel Michael said to them, "I am Michael the Archangel who delivered you from all your tribulations, and I have taken your oblations and alms up to God; you shall lack no good thing whatsoever in this world."
Devotions and Feast Days
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church honors St. Michael on the 12th of each month. Most Eastern Orthodox churches commemorate St. Michael and the other angels on November 8. In the Western Church, the archangel's feast is celebrated on Michaelmas Day, September 29.
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The place of Michael in the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria is as a saintly intercessor. He is the one who presents to God the prayers of the just, who accompanies the souls of the dead to heaven, who defeats the devil. He is celebrated liturgically on the 12th of each Coptic month.
In Alexandria, a church was dedicated to him in the early fourth century on the 12th of the month of Paoni.
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