A special holiday on November 21 is the Cathedral of Archangel Michael and other Celestial Bodiless Powers: the most powerful prayers

At the end of November, Orthodox believers celebrate an important church holiday — the Cathedral of Archangel Michael and other Celestial Bodiless Forces. This day is dedicated to the veneration of the holy angels, who, according to Christian teaching, are the helpers and protectors of people. Archangel Michael, who heads the heavenly host, is famous for his power in the fight against evil, and his intercession has always been considered especially strong. Izvestia tells us more about which prayers to read on this important Orthodox holiday.

History and significance of the holiday

The Cathedral of Archangel Michael and other Heavenly Powers was established at the beginning of the 4th century and has always occupied an important place in the Orthodox Church calendar. It is celebrated on November 21 according to the new style (November 8 according to the old calendar). The holiday symbolizes the memory of all angels and invisible spiritual forces, which, according to church teaching, consist of three hierarchies and nine ranks — from Seraphim and Cherubim to messenger angels.

Archangel Michael is the archangel, that is, the military commander of the Heavenly host, the conqueror of Satan and the defender of believers. In Orthodoxy, he is worshipped as a protector from evil forces and the patron saint of God's people. The story of Michael's battle with the fallen angels gave rise to the holiday and its special veneration.

Traditions and customs of celebration

In the Orthodox tradition, on this day there is a special divine service with prayer services and liturgies in honor of Archangel Michael and all the Heavenly Powers. Believers turn to the saints with prayers for protection, spiritual help and healing. In Russia, the holiday was accompanied by folk festivals, pies were baked, feasts were held and guests were invited.

On the morning of November 21, prayer services are held, icons are consecrated, and processions are held in some places. There is no fasting on this day, and believers can eat without restrictions.

How to read prayers to Archangel Michael and the Heavenly Powers correctly

Prayers should be read with a pure heart, sincere faith and repentance. It is best to do this in a calm environment, focusing on the words and meaning, you can light a candle in front of the icon of Archangel Michael or the angels. Prayer is a lively conversation with a spiritual helper, it is important to pay attention to the inner state and ask with confidence and hope.

The most powerful prayers to Archangel Michael and the Heavenly Powers

Reading a prayer to Archangel Michael is a profound act of spiritual connection and seeking protection from the Heavenly Powers. It is believed that turning to a saint strengthens spiritual health, gives peace and support in trials.

The text of the prayer to Archangel Michael

"Holy and great Archangel Michael of God, of the inscrutable and presubstantial Trinity, the first in the Angelic primate, and the guardian of the human race, who with his armies crushed the head of the most glorious Day in heaven and put his malice and deceit to shame on earth! We run to you with faith and we pray to you with love: be an indestructible shield and a firm visor for our Holy Church and Orthodox Fatherland, protecting them with your lightning sword from all enemies, visible and invisible.

Do not forsake us, O Archangel of God, through your help and intercession, who today glorify your holy name: for if we have many sins, we will not perish in our iniquities, but will turn to the Lord and be quickened by Him to good works. So enlighten our minds with the light of the face of God, which shines on your lightning-like forehead, so that we may understand what God's will is for us, good and perfect, and know all that is fitting for us to do and despise and forsake. Strengthen by the grace of the Lord our weak will and feeble will, so that, having established ourselves in the law of the Lord, we may cease to be dominated by earthly thoughts and lusts of the flesh, captivating, in the likeness of senseless children, the fleeting beauties of this world, for the sake of the perishable and earthly, we foolishly forget the eternal and heavenly.

Over all of these, grant us from above the spirit of true repentance, unfeigned sorrow for God, and contrition for our sins, so that the remaining days of our temporal life may depend not on the gratification of our senses and the work of our passions, but on the blotting out of the evils we have committed, tears of faith and contrition of the heart, feats of purity, and holy works of mercy.

When the hour of our end approaches, of our liberation from the bonds of this mortal body, do not forsake us. Archangel of God, defenseless against the spirits of the wickedness of the heavenly ones, who are accustomed to block the soul of mankind from ascending to heaven, yes, guarded by you, let us reach these glorious villages of paradise without interruption, where there is no sorrow, no sighing, but an endless life, and, having been vouchsafed to see the most radiant face of our All-good Lord and Master, we have fallen with tears at His feet, in Let us cry out with joy and emotion: glory be to You, our dearest Redeemer, who, for Your great love for us who are unworthy, was pleased to send Your Angels to serve our salvation! Amen to that."

Among other prayers that are read on this day, there are:

— Akathist to Archangel Michael;

— Prayer for health and protection;

— Prayer for help in the fight against temptation;

— Troparia and kontakion of the feast.

It is believed that regular recitation of these prayers contributes to spiritual protection and inner strengthening of faith.