The Holy Archangel Michael
Hymns to the Bodiless Hosts
For the Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and all the Bodiless Powers, November 8
Contents6 sections
On the feast
Editor's note
The Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the other Bodiless Powers (November 8 on either calendar reckoning) is the principal feast of the angels in the Eastern Orthodox year. It is set on the eighth day of the ninth month from March (the month of the Annunciation), the eighth recalling the day of the Resurrection and the age to come, the ninth signalling the nine angelic orders Pseudo-Dionysius enumerates in The Celestial Hierarchy.
Summary by PurifyWritten by Purify, not The Holy Archangel Michael's words.
Three hymns from the festal service are appointed below in their classic American Russian Orthodox public-domain English: the Apolytikion (the dismissal hymn that names the feast), the Kontakion (the festal poem that summarizes its meaning), and a Megalynalia from the All-Night Vigil. Each is given as it stands in Hapgood's Service Book of 1906, with the chapter divisions of that volume.
Apolytikion (Tone 4)
The Church's hymnSung by the Church about The Holy Archangel Michael, not written by him.
O Captains of the Heavenly Hosts, we, the unworthy, beseech you that by your supplications you will encompass us beneath the wings of your immaterial glory, and faithfully preserve us who fall down and cry to you: Deliver us from all dangers, as Captains of the Powers on high.
Kontakion (Tone 2)
The Church's hymnSung by the Church about The Holy Archangel Michael, not written by him.
Supreme Commanders of God, ministers of divine glory, leaders of the Angels and guides of men, ask what is profitable for us and great mercy, as Supreme Commanders of the Bodiless Hosts.
Megalynalia at the Praises
Let us, the faithful, fittingly extol Michael the Archangel: he is the supreme commander of the Angels, the leader, who stood before God and cried, Who is like God?
Lo, the dread sword of God shineth in thy hands, O Michael; protect from all evil us who hymn thee, and at the hour of our death deliver our souls from the spirits of darkness.
Theotokion of the feast
The Church's hymnSung by the Church about The Holy Archangel Michael, not written by him.
Higher than the Cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, thou hast brought forth God the Word: O true Theotokos, thee do we magnify.
From the dignity of every Bodiless Power thou hast been exalted as Mother of the Most High; for, having borne our God in the flesh, thou didst keep thy virginity intact, and didst become the Lady of the Angels and the joy of men.
Closing prayer to the Bodiless Hosts
O Holy Archangels and Angels of God, ye who stand before the throne of the Most High and ever look upon the face of our God in heaven: pray for us sinners that the Lord may keep us from every evil, may grant us repentance unto life, may strengthen us in the true confession of the Orthodox Faith, and at the hour of our death may send His Archangel Michael to guide our souls in peace past the spirits of the air, that with you we may glorify the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.