Icon of the Archangel Michael, late 10th–first half of 11th century, silver-gilt, gold cloisonné enamel, stones, pearls (now missing), glass, 44 x 36 cm, likely made in Constantinople (Treasury of the Basilica of San Marco, Venice)
Dear Reader:
Please join us for a 12 week study during the Michaelmas Season 2023. We will turn to legends about St. Michael which take us back in time and to different phases of the development of the consciousness of humanity. St. Michael is being portrayed in these legends in different ways and with differing task. Please feel free and encouraged to join the conversation by posting in the comments section (see below).
With greetings and the hope for courage for the Michaelmas Season 2023 --- Conrad Rehbach
Study Material for the Michaelmas Study 2023 (Week 8)
Michael's Transition from Legend to the History of the Fading Middle Ages
It is a striking fact that, from the 10th century on, Michael Legends become rarer and rarer. Their place is taken by stories telling us how Michael has interfered here or there in the course of history. Inside the German-speaking territory, very few legends exist. Instead, Michael appears on the Imperial Banner and is seen in visions as a leader of armies.
Michael as Friend of Mankind
Icelandic Legend
At the end of the 10th century after the birth of Christ, the German Tangbrand sailed at the behest of King Olaf Trygvessoens from Norway to Iceland, so that he might preach the Gospel of Christ. He was received by Sidu Hall, who was well known in Iceland and lived on the Fjord of Aalpta. And the following is told in the great Olaf Trygvessoens saga: It was in the autumn, the day before Michaelmas, when Tangbrand and his companions celebrated the holy eve of the festival. Sidu Hall came and asked why they had stopped working so early. Tangbrand answered: "The morrow is sacred to us as the day dedicated to Michael, the Archangel of God."
Hall said: "Who was Michael and what is told concerning him?"
Tangbrand answered: "Michael is no mortal, but a spirit created by the Almighty and placed as Prince above all the other angels, and whom God has appointed to fight with the devil and his evil henchmen and to protect all righteous Christians from the blind weapons of impure spirits. And God has given unto the Archangel Michael the special mission to receive the souls of Christians when they leave the earthly world and guide them to the realm of the great peace."
And the Njaals saga continues in this wise: Thus spake Tangbrand to Hall:
"Michael will weigh all that thou doest, the good as well as the evil. But he has so much affection for mankind that he weighs the good rather than the evil."
Then said Hall: "Him I would like to have as friend!" And soon afterwards he was baptized in the brook flowing near his homestead. And Hall made a vow that henceforth Michael should be the angel he would follow.
At the end of the 10th century after the birth of Christ, the German Tangbrand sailed at the behest of King Olaf Trygvessoens from Norway to Iceland, so that he might preach the Gospel of Christ. He was received by Sidu Hall, who was well known in Iceland and lived on the Fjord of Aalpta. And the following is told in the great Olaf Trygvessoens saga: It was in the autumn, the day before Michaelmas, when Tangbrand and his companions celebrated the holy eve of the festival. Sidu Hall came and asked why they had stopped working so early. Tangbrand answered: "The morrow is sacred to us as the day dedicated to Michael, the Archangel of God."
Hall said: "Who was Michael and what is told concerning him?"
Tangbrand answered: "Michael is no mortal, but a spirit created by the Almighty and placed as Prince above all the other angels, and whom God has appointed to fight with the devil and his evil henchmen and to protect all righteous Christians from the blind weapons of impure spirits. And God has given unto the Archangel Michael the special mission to receive the souls of Christians when they leave the earthly world and guide them to the realm of the great peace."
And the Njaals saga continues in this wise: Thus spake Tangbrand to Hall:
"Michael will weigh all that thou doest, the good as well as the evil. But he has so much affection for mankind that he weighs the good rather than the evil."
Then said Hall: "Him I would like to have as friend!" And soon afterwards he was baptized in the brook flowing near his homestead. And Hall made a vow that henceforth Michael should be the angel he would follow.