Saint Michael the Archangel

“St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle!” So begins the powerful prayer, composed by Pope Leo XIII, to the “captain of the heavenly host.” Why does St. Michael receive this military title; in what battle is he engaged? The Apocalypse describes a battle which takes place in the heavens: “Now a war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought, but they were defeated and there was no longer any place for them in heaven” (Rev. 12:7,8). After describing how St. Michael and his angels cast down Satan and his angels from heaven, The Apocalypse portrays the war which Satan wages on earth against the followers of Christ (12:9-17).

Because of St. Michael’s role in the spiritual war between good and evil, and because the book of the Apocalypse describes St. Michael as leader of the heavenly armies, he is often depicted wearing military garments. His wardrobe is that of a military commander: red cloak and jeweled breastplate. The ribbons in his hair symbolize his intelligence and obedience to the commands of God, while the globe he holds represents his allegiance to Jesus Christ. Inside the globe, the first two Greek letters of the word “Christ” are shown (Χ and Ρ), and on either side of these, the Alpha (Α) and the Omega (Ω).

The staff which St. Michael holds denotes his office as messenger of God. In fact, the word “angel” means messenger in Greek. Sacred Scripture contains many accounts of the celestial beings whom God sends to us as messengers of his will and bearers of his grace. According to the Letter to the Hebrews (1:14), the angels are “ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation.”