The Feast of the Archangels

	St. Raphael

THOUGH POPULAR ART OFTEN DEPICTS ANGELS IN A MILD-MANNERED, ROMANTIC FASHION, SCRIPTURE DESCRIBES ANGELS AS POSSESSING IMPRESSIVE POWER AND STRENGTH. IT ALSO RECOGNIZES THEIR COMMON PURPOSE AS MESSENGERS OF GOD.

St. Raphael the Archangel
St. Raphael the Archangel is a patron of travelers — and rightly so, it seems, as globe-trotters can find places named in his honor in France, Canada, Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, Mexico, Peru, the Philippines, Venezuela, and the United States. But his reputation as a celestial guide and healer — his name means “God has healed” — was first established in the Book of Tobias. Raphael appears to Tobias as a young man named Azarias and joins him on his journey. Along the way, he helps Tobias find a wife, expels a demon, and cures Tobias’ father, Tobit, of blindness before revealing his true identity.

	St. Michael

St. Michael the Archangel
St. Michael the Archangel is perhaps most famously depicted as a warrior — fully armed, slaying a dragon at the Apocalypse; fighting battles on behalf of both Jews and Christians — but this saint’s reputation extends beyond the battlefield. Though the role of healer is traditionally associated with Raphael, Michael’s reputation as a healer cannot be overlooked. Veneration for him first gained strength in Phrygia, where early Christians turned to his intercession for care of their sick. It is said that Michael created a spring of healing waters at Chairotopa and, later, appeared to Emperor Constantine at Sosthenion. A sanctuary, the Michaelion, was built at this site, and the sick often spent the night at the church in hopes of catching a glimpse of the archangel himself.

	St. Gabriel

St. Gabriel the Archangel
At least one role of St. Gabriel the Archangel’s in Scripture is well-known: He’s the angel sent by God to tell Mary she would bear a son called Jesus. And though this role is certainly his most famous, it’s by no means his only appearance in Scripture. Known as both the angel of mercy and of God’s power, Gabriel also announces to Zachary the coming birth of John the Baptist. In addition, he appears in the Old Testament Book of Daniel explaining the vision of a horned ram, and appears to Daniel to prophesy the time before the coming of Christ. Though he’s not specifically named, Gabriel is commonly believed to be the angel who appeared to Joseph and the shepherds, and the one who gave strength to Christ in the garden of Gethsemene.  CD