Michael

Who is Like God

Archangel

Michael

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_(archangel)

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Michael, also called Saint Michael the Archangel, Archangel Michael and Saint Michael the Taxiarch is an archangel in Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and the Baha'i faith. The earliest surviving mentions of his name are in 3rd and 2nd-century BC Jewish works, often but not always apocalyptic, where he is the chief of the angels and archangels, and he is the guardian prince of Israel and is responsible for the care of Israel.

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Christianity adopted nearly all the Jewish traditions concerning him, and he is mentioned explicitly in Revelation 12:7–12, where he does battle with Satan, and in the Epistle of Jude, where the author denounces heretics by contrasting them with Michael

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Second Temple Jewish Writings

The earliest surviving mention of Michael is in a 3rd century BC Jewish apocalypse, the Book of Enoch. This lists him as one of seven archangels (the remaining names are Uriel, Raguel, Raphael, Sariel, Gabriel, and Remiel), who, according to a slightly later work, the Book of Tobit, "stand ready and enter before the glory of the Lord".

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He is mentioned again in last chapters of the Book of Daniel, a Jewish apocalypse composed in the 2nd century BC although set in the 6th, in which a man clothed in linen (never identified, but probably the archangel Gabriel) tells Daniel that he and "Michael, your prince" are engaged in a battle with the "prince of Persia", after which, at the end-time, "Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise".

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Enoch was instrumental in establishing the pre-eminent place of Michael among the angels or archangels, and in later Jewish works he is said to be their chief, mediating the Torah (the law of God) and standing at the right hand of the throne of God.

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In the traditions of the Qumran community he defends or leads the people of God in the eschatological (i.e., end-time) battle, and in other writings he is responsible for the care of Israel (and he may be the "one like a son of man" mentioned in Daniel 7:13–14) and the commander of the heavenly armies; he is Israel's advocate contesting Satan's claim to the body of Moses; he intercedes between God and humanity and serves as High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary; and he accompanies the souls of the righteous dead to Paradise.

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New Testament

The seven archangels (or four - the traditions differ but always include Michael) were associated with the branches of the menorah, the sacred seven-branched lampstand in the Temple as the seven spirits before the throne of God, and this is reflected in the Book of Revelation 4:5 ("From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God" - ESV).

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Michael is mentioned explicitly in Revelation 12:7-12, where he does battle with Satan and casts him out of heaven so that he no longer has access to God as accuser (his formal role in the Old Testament). The fall of Satan at the coming of Jesus marks the separation of the New Testament from Judaism. In Luke 22:31 Jesus tells Peter that Satan has asked God for permission to "sift" the disciples, the goal being to accuse them, but the accusation is opposed by Jesus, who thus takes on the role played by angels, and especially by Michael, in Judaism.

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According to rabbinic tradition, Michael acted as the advocate of Israel, and sometimes had to fight with the princes of the other nations (Daniel 10:13) and particularly with the angel Samael, Israel's accuser. Their enmity dates from the time Samael was thrown from heaven and tried to drag Michael down with him, necessitating God's intervention.

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Christianity

Michael was venerated as a healer in Phrygia (modern-day Turkey). The earliest and most famous sanctuary to Michael in the ancient Near East was also associated with healing waters. It was the Michaelion (Sanctuaries) built in the early 4th century by Constantine the Great at Chalcedon, on the site of an earlier temple called Sosthenion.

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Epiphanius of Salamis (c. 310–320 – 403) in his Coptic-Arabic Hexaemeron referred to Michael as a replacement of Satan. Accordingly, after Satan fell, Michael was appointed to the function Satan served when he was still one of the noble angels.

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A painting of the Archangel slaying a serpent became a major art piece at the Michaelion after Constantine defeated Licinius near there in 324. This contributed to the standard iconography that developed of the Archangel Michael as a warrior saint slaying a dragon. The Michaelion was a magnificent church and in time became a model for hundreds of other churches in Eastern Christianity; these spread devotions to the Archangel.

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Eastern and Oriental Orthodoxy

The Eastern Orthodox accord Michael the title Archistrategos, or "Supreme Commander of the Heavenly Hosts". The Eastern Orthodox pray to their guardian angels and above all to Michael and Gabriel. The Eastern Orthodox have always had strong devotions to angels. In contemporary times they are referred to by the term of "Bodiless Powers". A number of feasts dedicated to Archangel Michael are celebrated by the Eastern Orthodox throughout the year.

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Archangel Michael is mentioned in a number of Eastern Orthodox hymns and prayer, and his icons are widely used within Eastern Orthodox churches. In many Eastern Orthodox icons, Christ is accompanied by a number of angels, Michael being a predominant figure among them.

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In Russia, many monasteries, cathedrals, court and merchant churches are dedicated to the Chief Commander Michael; most Russian cities have a church or chapel dedicated to the Archangel Michael.

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While in the Serbian Orthodox Church Saint Sava has a special role as the establisher of its autocephaly and the largest Belgrade church is devoted to him, the capital Belgrade's Orthodox cathedral, the see church of the patriarch, is devoted to Archangel Michael (in Serbian: Арханђел Михаило / Arhanđel Mihailo).

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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. The 12th of the month of Hathor is the celebration of Michael's appointment in heaven, where Michael became the chief of the angels.

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Islam

In Islam, Michael, or Mīkāʾīl, is the angel said to effectuate God's providence as well as natural phenomena, such as rain. He is one of the four archangels along with Jebreel (Gabriel, whom he is often paired with), ʾIsrāfīl (trumpeter angel) and ʿAzrāʾīl (angel of death).

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Michael in Islam is tasked with providing nourishment for bodies and souls and is also responsible for universal or environmental events, and is often depicted as the archangel of mercy. He is said to be friendly, asking God for mercy toward humans and is, according to Muslim legends, one of the first to obey God's orders to bow before Adam. He is also responsible for the rewards doled out to good persons in this life. From the tears of Michael, angels are created as his helpers.

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Consensus of Islamic scholars and clerics has enclosed various hadiths as interpretation material for the verse of Al Imran, Ayah 124|Quran 3:124 (Translated by Shakir) that Gabriel, Michael, Raphael and thousands of best angels from third level of sky, all came to the battle of Badr. In a version of a hadith by an-Nasāʾi, Muhammad is quoted as saying that Gabriel and Michael came to him, and when Gabriel had sat down at his right and Michael at his left, Gabriel told him to recite the Qurʾān in one mode, and Michael told him to ask more, till he reached seven modes, each mode being sufficiently health-giving.

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According to another hadith in Sahih Muslim, Michael, along with Gabriel both dressed in white, were reported to have accompanied Muhammad on the day of the Battle of Uhud. Safiur Rahman Mubarakpuri has recorded in his historiography works of Quran and Hadith revelation in Prophetic biography, that Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas testified has saw Jibril and Mikail during that battle.

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Gnosticism

In the Secret Book of John, a 2nd-century text found in the Nag Hammadi codices of Gnosticism, Michael is placed in control of the demons who help Yaldabaoth create Adam, along with six others named Uriel, Asmenedas, Saphasatoel, Aarmouriam, Richram, and Amiorps. According to Origen of Alexandria in his work Against Celsus, Michael was represented as a lion on the Ophite Diagram.

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Archangel Michael: The wrathful Aspect of Ba’al

Source: https://michaelruark.blog/2019/02/11/archangel-michael-the-wrathful-aspect-of-baal/

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The Archangel Michael is so ancient that you can trace his name back to around at least 1600 BCE, a thousand years before he is ever mentioned in Judaism. He appears to have found his way into Hebrew via the Babylonian Exile in the fifth century BCE, and through neighboring West Semitic cultures where he was a prominent chthonic martial deity called Mikal. While the Michael-Mikal connection has been made before, I am proposing that Mikal’s name came from an Akkadian word for “red” which was a poetic name for the planet Mars.

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This name was a title for both the Sumerian god Nergal (with whom Mikal was syncretized), and got taken by the Babylonian god Marduk as a result of the conquest of Sumer.

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What’s in a name?

The Archangel Michael is one of the most ubiquitous figures in Abrahamic cosmology, featured in even the most obscure and remote sects. While the names and numbers of the Archangels vary from list to list and religion to religion, Michael is always there. Even witches and magicians call upon Michael and his fiery sword for protection and guidance. Few scholars doubt that Michael himself, as a mythic figure, is older than Judaism as we think of it today. He, like many angels, is a ‘holdover’ from polytheistic times.

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Despite being called the right hand of God, prince of the angels, and being credited with casting the rebel angels from heaven (often artistically portrayed stomping on Satan’s face), Michael the Archangel is not actually mentioned until the Book of Daniel. For those of you unfamiliar with the scriptures: this story takes place during the Babylonian Captivity/Exile [of the Jews/Israelites].

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There are a few theorized dates for this period. Rainer Albertz puts it between 609 to 538 BCE, the Encyclopedia Britannica puts it at 598 to 586 BCE, another source I found said 593-571 BCE, none of theses dates are exact, and other dates are theorized, all we know is it likely occurred sometime during that century.

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Daniel was one of those exiled to Babylonia. He was a remarkable man with the gift of prophecy and because of his talents he became the advisor to the king of Babylon. As such, he made a number of prophecies and performed many miracles, quite a few of which involved angels. Daniel, despite making prophecies, is not considered a prophet in modern Judaism, but he is considered a distinguished figure and a righteous man.

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Christian sects do, however, count Daniel as a prophet. Daniel’s name is not contained in the Qur’an, but he is mentioned in Muslim texts and folklore. Daniel is also a prophet in the Bahá’í Faith (a Persian monotheistic religion that shares some Abrahamic lore). It has been theorized that the Daniel is not included as a prophet in the Rabbinical tradition due to the almost pagan nature of his prophecies.

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This is unsurprising since many Biblical scholars refer to him as a magi, who are technically priests of Zoroastrianism. Keep in mind, the concept of angels as subservient beings to a monistic godhead was first introduced by Zoroaster in the first millennium BCE, 500 years Daniel’s predecessor.

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The name Daniel is ultimately of Ugaritic origins. The name first appears in the Book of Ezekiel, where it is written “Danel” like the Ugaritic hero Danel. Danel, in Ugaritic means”The god El is judge,” whereas in Hebrew Daniel means “God is my judge” or “God will judge”. Keep in mind that “El” is another name for God in Hebrew as well. Some argue that the Danel of Ugarit might be the same Danel in Ezekiel since he is referenced alongside two other ancient figures, Job and Noah, who themselves were neither Israelites nor descendants of Abraham (Job was not even Abraham’s ancestor like Noah was).

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Ugaritic Danel was recorded around the fourteenth century BCE, about 1000 years before Ezekiel was written the Babylonian Exile occurred. Given this information, we can date the first mention of Michael the Archangel to the fifth century BCE.

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Typically the definition for Michael is said to be “Who is like God,” usually posed as a question, though sometimes framed as a statement: “Who [in the universe] is like God?” vs. “[He] who is [most] like God.” Given the Jewish love of wordplay, this dual interpretation is probably deliberate. “Who is like God?” is a fitting question coming from the general of the angelic army who ousted the rebels that refused to submit to the will of God and bow to God’s creation Adam.

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The statement, “He who is like God,” makes sense in reference to the one who sits at God’s right hand and is called “prince of the angels”. Michael has been portrayed as the loyal defender of Israel and humanity since his inception, so this double entendre quite obvious.

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Now the name מיכאל (mem-[yod]-khaf-[alef]-lamed) is simply transliterated as: M[y/i]-K-[a]L. The letters yod “y/i” and alef “a” are not true vowels, hence the parenthesis. Ancient Hebrew and a few other ancient Semitic writing systems don’t have characters for most vowel sounds. Vowels between these languages can be interchangeable, especially when it comes to loan words.

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Not surprisingly, there is a West Semitic god called Mikal or Mekal (also spelled M[y/i]-K-[a]L) who, like Danel, was worshiped in Ugarit. The name Mikal is sometimes thought to come from Amyclas of Sparta, but the name Mikal was known in many Near-East locations around the mid-Bronze Age, but Amyclas, who is dated “somewhere in the Bronze Age,” was likely not even a real human king, let alone a Greek, nor does his name have an etymology. It is far more likely that Amyclas came from Mikal. The name is distinctly Semitic and the deity follows distinctly Canaanite mythic tropes.

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Mikal was also called Resheph (another very Semitic name) or Reshef which means “flame” or “lightning,” but also “burning” or “ravaging” as in a fever or pestilence. Mikal was a warrior god of thunder, portrayed in full battle gear much like Michael is today. Unlike Michael he had a consort; the warrior goddess of love and sex, Anat.

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Reshef-Mikal was the giver and taker of plague, and god of the underworld. He was the lord of the underworld and synonymous with the Babylonian god Nergal, who was the planet Mars, from whence Mikal got his name. However, Mikal also had fertility and prosperity aspects, and could have just been the wrathful aspect of Ba’al. Ba’al, which just means “lord,” is very much “like God” since Ba’al and El are more or less interchangeable. The godname Mikal would have been popularized during the centuries of Babylonian expansion, having been introduced to the Canaanites by the Akkadians.

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So we have the definition of Reshef, which certainly explains the lightning bolt…er…I mean, flaming sword. But what about Mikal? The answer is Akkadian: Makrû, which means “red” and is a name for the planet Mars.

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Spelled in Akkadian: ma-ak-ru-u₂. (Each pair of letters between the dashes is an entire character/glyph.) Now the suffix -u₂ gets dropped when transliterated into Hebrew or Phoenician, and the vowels disappear, so that leaves us with M-K-R. “R” is a tricky consonant sound that often gets switched with “L” when passed between languages and accents, sometimes it happens when Canaanite languages adopt loanwords.

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That leaves us with M-K-L or מכל (mem-khaf-lamed). Semivowels need to be added as pronunciation guides, and there are only two available, yod and alef. If we add the alef between the khaf and the lamed then we get a nice –god suffix, which is fitting for the name of a star/planet, so M-K-A-L, now we’re only left with one semivowel, so let’s just put the yod between mem and khaf, and boom: M-I-K-A-L, mem-yod-khaf-alef-lamed, the name of the Archangel we call Michael.

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Here is an Akkadian passage using Makrû in context:

“If Mars is dark: people who have seen hunger will eat plentiful food; the heart of the land will become good; the harvest of the land will thrive; the best of Sumuqan’s livestock will thrive; the offspring of cattle will increase; cattle in the open country will lie down in green pasture; the winter growth will last until summer and the summer growth until winter; people who have seen hunger will see rest. If The Red Star (Makrû) enters the Moon but does not appear there: a king’s son will seize the throne.” – Enuma Anu Enlil, lines 150-153, during the years 1595 to 1157 BCE

Makrû literally translates to “red” but particularly glowing red, like the planet. Makrû is also said to be a title for Marduk, but Marduk is actually identified with the planet Jupiter, and Nergal with Mars. The title “Red” could also refer to Nergal’s role as lord of the sunset. When Marduk rose to prominence he absorbed the aspects of many other deities, and the Babylonian astrological system was not standardized until millennia after Marduk’s reign began, so there was a time when he was identified with Mars.

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This likely caused some conflation between him and Nergal. This would explain why Reshef/Mikal of Ugarit had both Jupiterian (thunder, lightning, kinghood) and Martial (warrior, armor, wrath) aspects, both have Solar roles as well. However, Mikal is a storm god like Marduk, furthering the argument that Mikal was the wrathful aspect of Ba’al.

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Marduk was also often portrayed fighting the rebel gods Kingu or Tiamat during the war in heaven, the same way Michael is portrayed fighting Satan. Reshef later got absorbed into the Egyptian pantheon, in fact, his worship was spread all over the ancient Near East. Reshef/Mikal was, centuries later, syncretized with Apollo and Adonis, from where the Catholic-Christian Michael gets his blonde hair and androgynous/boyish looks. The color red, especially in candles, is still canonically associated with the Archangel Michael to this day.

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So there you have it: the Prince of Heaven was once the King of Hell. When you think about it, it is actually amazing how most of the basic symbolism surrounding this spirit have stayed largely intact for thousands of years.

To the music "St Michael" by Mike Harrison, from the 2005 album "Standin' On the Rock”

Source: https://www.deviantart.com/liiga/art/Proficiency-Apolleon-754726329

Synaxis of the Archangel Michael (Собор Архистратига Михаила). An Eastern Orthodox Church icon of the "Seven Archangels." From left to right: Jegudiel, Gabriel (גַּבְרִיאֵל), Selaphiel, Michael, Uriel, Raphael, and Barachiel. Beneath the mandorla of Christ Emmanuel are representations of Cherubim (in blue) and Seraphim (in red).

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In parts of Ortiental Orthodox Christianity and Eastern Orthodox Christianity, Eight Archangels may be honoured, including Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, as well as Salathiel, Jegudiel, Barachiel and Jeremiel (in the Coptic tradition the latter four are named as Surael, Sakakael, Sarathael and Ananael). The Eight Archangels are commemorated on the Feast of the Archangels.

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Pictures Videos Music and Additional Reading

The Archangel Michael Defeating Satan - Lucas Kilian 1588

Guido Reni's Michael (in Santa Maria della Concezione church, Rome, 1636) tramples Satan. A mosaic of the same painting decorates St. Michael's Altar in St. Peter's Basilica.

111 Hz Divine Frequency Meditation Music

Michael

Source: https://occult-world.com/michael/

Michael: Captain of the Lord’s House; Prince of the Heavenly Host. If there was ever an angelic popularity contest, it’s likely that Michael Archangel would win. Michael is beloved by Pagans, Jews, Christians, Muslims, and the unaffiliated. His name means “who is like the Lord.” Statement or question? You decide.

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Michael is head of the Lord’s Army. He crushed the Rebel Angels. Legend has it that if Lucifer could only have persuaded Michael to join him, Heaven would have been overthrown. Michael is the angel of righteousness—he does what is right. He cannot be bribed. He is allegedly among the few angels who know the Ineffable Name of Power.

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Michael serves as a psychopomp, escorting dead souls to the next realm and guarding them on their journey. Russian folklore envisions him as a ferryman bringing good souls toward Paradise’s radiant light. Michael guards the gates of Paradise. At the Final Judgment, he will weigh the souls of the dead.

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Michael is the Angel of Insomnia, which he both heals and causes. According to Jewish legend, the reason King Ahasueros couldn’t sleep in the Queen Esther story is because the Creator sent Michael to afflict him with sleeplessness.

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Michael makes frequent public appearances. Apparitions of Michael have been recorded in Mexico, Italy, and France. Most recently, in 1995 and 1996, Egyptian Christians and Muslims witnessed numerous apparitions of Michael in the Church of Saint Michael in the village of Kafr Yusuf Samri. He appeared in various forms both with and without wings. Miracles recorded include exorcisms, healings, and multiplication of oil.

The Archangel Michael and His Angels Fighting the Dragon, 1865-1866 By Gustave Doré

The Archangel Michael

Source: https://www.rabbidavidcooper.com/cooper-print-index/2010/11/8/2193-the-archangel-michael.html

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The name “Michael” in Hebrew literally means, “Who is like God (El)?” The archangel Michael (pronounced in Hebrew “Meh-khi-ayl”) is envisioned as “standing” to the right of the throne of God, and indeed, this angel is considered in many ways as the right hand of God.

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In kabbalistic terms, the right hand of God represents mercy and loving-kindness. This association appears many times in normative Jewish practice. A mezuzah is put on the right side of an entrance door to one’s home and for traditional practitioners, almost every doorway in one’s residence has a mezuzah on the right side (going into the room).

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The mezuzah is touched with the fingers of the right hand upon entering a home. Traditional Jews put their right shoe on before their left. They light a right candle before a left one; they hold the kiddush wine cup in the right hand. Blessings of children are usually done with the right hand. The Torah makes references to the right thigh (for taking an oath), the right ear and the right thumb for certain rituals.

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In each of these acts, and many others, one can invite the sense of open-heartedness and caring. With imagination or simply thinking about experiences which have the qualities of mercy and loving-kindness, one can shift one’s mood and sensitivity in this direction. In essence, when we do this, we are invoking a sense of presence that we can actually feel. We are softened in this process, more relaxed, more open.

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The point is not that someone must “believe” in angels to embrace the potential empowerment of dwelling in certain mind states. Just as there are well-known placebo effects in medicine that can be stimulated through the use of imagination, so too is there an opportunity for invoking our own hidden potentials by taking on practices that strengthen our attitudes, moods, convictions and other powerful states of mind.

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So, the archangel Michael is associated with acts of loving kindness. We see in the Torah that one of Michael’s tasks was to inform Abraham and Sarah of the upcoming birth of their son Isaac. This birth was considered a miracle as both parents were both quite advanced in age—Abraham being one hundred years old, and Sarah ninety.

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In the oral tradition, Michael was the angel that accompanied Eliezer, Abraham’s servant in the search for Isaac’s soul mate, as mentioned earlier. Michael and Gabriel both witnessed the sale of Esau’s birthright to Jacob; they both were present when the Torah was given to Moses.

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While the above incidents reveal various acts of loving kindness, we occasionally find Michael in a fierce role. The most obvious example is that he is viewed as one of the angels who cause the destruction of Sennacherib, the king of Assyria and Babylonia in the 7th century BCE, as recorded in the Talmud.

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As tradition tells the story, on the first night of Passover the angel Michael went forth and destroyed the entire Assyrian army of one hundred and eighty-five thousand soldiers. Some historians say it was actually a plague that struck the army. From our perspective both viewpoints are completely compatible—all so-called acts of God are carried out by angels.

Saint Michael the Archangel prayer

Prayer to Saint Michael § In the Leonine Prayers Catholic Prayer

Blessed Michael, archangel,
defend us in the hour of conflict.
Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil
(may God restrain him, we humbly pray):
and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host,
by the power of God thrust Satan down to hell
and with him those other wicked spirits
who wander through the world for the ruin of souls.
Amen

St. Michael is the guardian of the Church and a powerful intercessor for anyone facing spiritual attack. Whenever you need protection against the devil, call on St. Michael the Archangel.

The Akkadian Origins of the Prince of Angels

Source: https://mythology.stackexchange.com/questions/6134/what-would-st-michael-be-considered-far-as-title-rank

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The most appropriate mythological title from a historical source POV would be "Jewish Prince of Heaven who was once the Babylonian King of Hell."

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The Archangel Michael is copied in both name and attributes from sources around at least 1600 BCE, a thousand years before he is ever mentioned in Judaism. He found his way into Hebrew via the Babylonian Exile in the fifth century BCE, and through neighbouring West Semitic cultures where he was a prominent chthonic martial deity called Mikal.So like many angels, Michael is a holdover from polytheistic times.

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Mikal’s name came from an Akkadian word for “red” which was a poetic name for the planet Mars. This name was a title for both the Sumerian god Nergal (with whom Mikal was syncretized) and got taken by the Babylonian god Marduk as a result of the conquest of Sumer. The name is distinctly Semitic and the deity follows distinctly Canaanite mythic tropes.

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The New Testament makes over a hundred references to angels, but uses the word "archangel" only twice, at Thessalonians 4:16 ("For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first", KJV) and Jude 1:9 ("Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee", KJV).

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However, further proof of the Babylonian origin of Michael can be found in the oldest surviving forms of Christianity, such as the Coptic church, where his name is Ramuel, meaning "Thunder of God".

September 29th is the Feast of the Archangels Catholic

Source: https://www.catholicnewsworld.com/2012/09/novena-feast-of-angels-st-michael_28.html

Novena Dates September 21 - 29, Feast Day September 29

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St. Michael the Archangel, loyal champion of God and His people, I turn to you with confidence and seek your powerful intercession. For the love of God, Who made you so glorious in grace and power, and for the love of the Mother of Jesus, the Queen of the Angels, be pleased to hear my prayer. You know the value on my soul in the eyes of God.

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May no stain of evil ever disfigure its beauty. Help me to conquer the evil spirit who tempts me. I desire to imitate your loyalty to God and Holy Mother Church and your great love for God and people. And since you are God's messenger for the care of his people, I entrust to you this special request: (Mention your request).

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St. Michael, since you are, by the Will of the Creator, the powerful intercessor of Christians, I have great confidence in your prayers. I earnestly trust that if it is God's holy Will, my petition will be granted.

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Pray for me, St. Michael, and also for those I love. Protect us in all dangers of body and soul. Help us in our daily needs. Through your powerful intercession, may we live a holy life, die a happy death, and reach heaven where we may praise and love God with you forever. Amen.

Resheph, (Hebrew: “the Burner” or “the Ravager”) ancient West Semitic god of the plague and of the underworld, the companion of Anath, and the equivalent of the Babylonian god Nergal. He was also a war god and was thus represented as a bearded man brandishing an ax, holding a shield, and wearing a tall, pointed headdress with a goat’s or gazelle’s head on his forehead.

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Resheph was worshiped especially at Ras Shamra, Byblos, and Arsūf (later Apollonia, near modern Tel Aviv–Yafo). Under the title Mikal (or Mekal), he was also worshiped at Beth-shean in eastern Palestine and at Ialium in Cyprus. Resheph was usually believed to be related to Mot, the god of sterility and death, but he also seems to have been a god of well-being, plenty, and fertility, and in that respect he may have been a form of the god Baal.

Source: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Resheph

Luca Turilli’s Rhapsody -

Of Michael the Archangel and Lucifer’s Fall

Lyrics

Chapter I - in profundis

"To protect all that is dear to you

You can lock every door...

Close every road...

Suspect every stranger...

But no matter how safe you think you are

There is one deadly threat

You cannot keep out,

And that is... Your own fear"

Chapter ii - fatum mortalis

Centuries, millenniums for a story without end

Heaven bleeding once betrayed by angels without faith

Chaos and order generating birth and death of souls

The matrix of the universe, a quantum and its source

L'umano torto col sangue lavo'

Nel lor peccato si spense e spiro'

D'impeto ruvido il cielo crepo'

Al suo vagito la terra tremo'

I am the child who cries

I am the grace that lies

I am the eye that stares

I am the mouth that hurts

I am the cross that bleeds

I am the hand that heals

I am the thunder's rage

I am your inner quake

Holy inner revelation

An old prophecy unfolds

A sad rhyme of mystic fading hope

A script of death and sorrow

The requiem for my world

The most epic battle

That men ever fold

The last revelation

The code of the codes

Through symbols and secrets

The centuries spoke

Of michael the archangel

And lucifer's fall

Beatus qui legit

Qui audit verba prophetiae

Et servat ea

Quae in ea scripta sunt

Beatus qui legit

Prophetiae verba sacra

O quot undis lacrimarum

Sacramentum et arcanum

Draco pugnabat

Angeli eius

Magnum in caelo

Factum est praelium

Non valuerunt

Facta est salus

Veritas christi

Del nostri regnum

Sanctus

Ego sum alpha et omega

In nomine dei

In the stellar fire, in the nucleus of a cell

That fragment of eternity that feeds an alien brain

In an abbey lost on earth the gate to astral reigns

The energy of supernovas tracing souls' new ways

Divina madre io rinascero'

In quella grazia che mai tradiro'

Parte la sfida tra un ego ed un se'

La sfida al cosmo di un uomo, di un re

I am the child who cries

I am the grace that lies

I am the eye that stares

I am the mouth that hurts

I am the cross that bleeds

I am the hand that heals

I am the thunder's rage

I am your inner quake

(You are your choice)

Holy inner revelation

A new testament unfolds

Carved in me the power of your word

The vision and the illusion

The force of hate and love

The most epic battle

That men ever fold

The last revelation

The code of the codes

Through symbols and secrets

The centuries spoke

Of michael the archangel

And lucifer's fall

Beatus qui legit

Qui audit verba prophetiae

Et servat ea

Quae in ea scripta sunt

Beatus qui legit

Prophetiae verba sacra

O quot undis lacrimarum

Sacramentum et arcanum

Draco pugnabat

Angeli eius

Magnum in caelo

Factum est praelium

Non valuerunt

Facta est salus

Veritas christi

Del nostri regnum

Sanctus

Ego sum alpha et omega

In nomine dei

Ego sum principius finis

Dicit pater dominus Deus

Deus qui est et qui erat

Qui venturus est omnipotens

Ego sum principius finis

Dicit pater dominus Deus

Deus qui est et qui erat

Qui venturus est omnipotens

Ave, mater, fons amoris,

Me sentire vim doloris

Fac ut tecum lugeam

In amando christum deum

Fac ut ardeat cor meum

In amando christum deum

Fac ut sibi

Complaceam

O quot undis lacrimarum

Sacramentum et arcanum

Draco pugnabat

Angeli eius

Magnum in caelo

Factum est praelium

Non valuerunt

Facta est salus

Veritas christi

Del nostri regnum

Sanctus

Ego sum alpha et omega

In nomine dei

Chapter iii - ignis divinus

"The earth quaked and the last sin of man

Was then swallowed by the great mother.

The ocean's waves devoured the rest of the fallen metropolis

While the four horsemen appeared in the glaze of the burning sky.

Then saint michael appeared in his full quantum astral splendor.

He distorted space and time to cross the seven universes.

I kneeled in front of him... The archangel took my hand...

The code of all codes, the secret of secrets,

The tale of creation was the revealed...

One second of terrestrial life for a billion of light years...

The ecstasy of heart and soul and the cosmic impact

On a fragile mind while the ultimate truth was finally revealed..."

An instand later...

"The divine cosmic matrix, forging heaven and hells and fuelling

The energy of the arcane multiversum, was calling me...

... I closed my eyes and followed by the archangel,

Leaving my beloved and tormented planet,

My beloved brothers and sisters, my glory, my sin...

Now shining as a new forged star in the celestial firmament,

A burning star of wild pureness and crystalline truth..."

Ignis divinus