Tanais Gallery
Victor Vasnetsov. Archangel Michael plunges a devil.
1914-1915.
Oil on canvas.
292,2 x 129.
The Victor Vasnetsov Home-Museum, Moscow, Russia.
Michael (Hebrew: ?????????, Micha'el or M?kh?'?l; Greek: ??????, Mikha?l; Latin: Michael or M?cha?l; Arabic: ????????, Mikha?l) is an archangel in Hebrew, Christian and Islamic tradition.
He is viewed as the field commander of the Army of God. He is mentioned by name in the Book of Daniel, the Book of Jude and the Book of Revelation. In the book of Daniel, Michael appears as "one of the chief princes" who in Daniel's vision comes to the angel Gabriel's aid in his contest with the angel of Persia (Dobiel), and is also described there as the advocate of Israel and "great prince who stands up for the children of your [Daniel's] people".
The Talmudic tradition rendered Michael's name as meaning "Who is like El?" ("Who is like God?"), As a question, it is understood as being rhetorical, implying the answer, "No one is like God."
Much of the late Midrashic detail about Michael was transmitted to Christianity through the Book of Enoch, whence it was taken up and further elaborated. In late medieval Christianity, Michael, together with Saint George, became the patron saint of chivalry, and of the first chivalric order of France, the Order of Saint Michael of 1469. In the British honours system, a chivalric order founded in 1818 is also named for these two saints, the Order of St Michael and St George. St Michael is also considered in many Christian circles as the patron saint of the warrior. Police officers and soldiers, particularly paratroopers and fighter pilots, regard him as their patron. He is also a patron of Germany and of the City of Brussels.
Roman Catholics refer to him as Saint Michael the Archangel and also simply as Saint Michael. Orthodox Christians refer to him as the Taxiarch Archangel Michael or simply Archangel Michael. The New Thought Movement refers to Michael as Christ Michael.
In the Epistle of Jude of the New Testament in verse 9, St Michael disputes with the Devil over the body of Moses. In Revelation 12:7-9, "And there was a great battle in heaven, Michael and his angels fought with the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon as hurled down--that ancient serpent called the devil, or satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him." Saint John describes Satan being thrown out of heaven three and a half years from the end of the age, "a time, times and half a time" (Revelation 12:14). Satan being thrown from heaven coincides with the "abomination that causes desolation" as spoken of by the prophet (Daniel 9:27). In Catholic teachings, Saint Michael will also triumph at the end times when Antichrist will be defeated by him. The Book of Daniel (12:1) states: "At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise."
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