Customs and traditions of the day of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel
The Day of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel is considered by Catholics to be the border between autumn and winter. The day of November 8, dedicated to angels, is marked by a number of ancient traditions and beliefs.
According to popular belief, the border between autumn and winter is the same day of the holy archangels Michael and Gabriel on November 8th. It was known that you could always enjoy a few more sunny and warm days between this great holiday and the next one, the Nativity of the Savior. There was a belief that the Holy Archangel Michael prevented the rapid onset of cold weather. He was considered the protector of the solar star and the moon. They say that when devils want to steal them from the sky, as happens during eclipses, the Holy One intervenes and returns the light.
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Candles burn for those who died without light
On the Saturday before the holiday, a wake is held for the souls of all those who died in the family, and this day is called “Estate of the Archangels.” Then, on the feast of the holy archangels Michael and Gabriel, candles are lit both for the living and for those who passed over to the Lord without a candle, in order to illuminate the eternal path and be their guide in the afterlife. This tradition has been preserved especially in the villages of Bukovina.
Finnish godparents get pies
On November 8, the Finns still have the custom of going to their godparents and treating them to pies. In addition, believers try not to work throughout the day, wanting their prayers to Saints Michael and Gabriel to be heard. There is a belief that those who work on the day of the great holiday will suffer a lot when they die.
Shepherds observe their ritual
Saints Archangels Michael and Gabriel are considered the patron saints of sheep. That is why on this day the shepherds baked cakes from cornmeal, which they threw to the sheep. If the cake fell face down, it foreshadowed that the sheep would be barren and there would be a lack of abundance in the following spring. On the other hand, if the pie fell face up, the shepherds knew it was a good sign, as it heralded a fruitful spring when all the sheep would give birth to lambs.
Christians pray for health
The prayers of Christians now go to the archangels Michael and Gabriel, who are said to protect them from birth to death, praying to God for the health and salvation of people. Archangels are the leaders of angelic troops. In ancient Greek, “archangelos” meant the leaders or first among the angels, those who accompany a person until death and stand at his head at the end of life, when he passes to the Lord.
The whole company of angels celebrates
At first, on November 8, only the day of St. Michael the Archangel was celebrated, later St. Gabriel, and now the entire angelic host. They have a high mission - to be guides of souls on the path to Heaven. Often their images are depicted in churches on the two side doors of catapetems, as guardians of the doors of Heaven.
Archangel Michael is represented on the icons as a warrior holding a flaming sword in his right hand, a symbol of the fight against the devil, and in his left hand scales, a sign of judgment. It is easier to recognize Gabriel in icons like this: the Archangel Gabriel has a spear or lily in his right hand, which recalls the Annunciation, the moment when he brought the news of the birth of Christ to the Virgin Mary, and in his left hand there is a disk or sphere with the monogram of the Savior, as proof that he is His servant.
What you need to know about Saints Michael and Gabriel
Archangel Michael is said to be the leader of the angelic host, holds the keys to Heaven and is a fierce fighter against the devil. Throughout his life he makes sure that a person remains on the right path. He watches over the sick, and if they are destined to die, he stands at their head, or stands at their feet if they are destined to live. He is the one who takes the soul of the sleeping person and carries it to the Lord so that He can decide where the person will spend his eternal rest.
Archangel Gabriel is the messenger of salvation, protector of mothers and babies. Believers revere him especially because he was sent by God to announce the birth of St. John the Baptist and Savior. She brings Christians closer to a merciful God, calls on them not to be afraid, but to have the courage to approach Him and begin the good work of saving their souls.
