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 2)
Michael as Mithras
Ahura Mazdah spake to Zarathustra: "When I created Mithras, who possesses wide fields, I created him to be as venerable, as praiseworthy as Myself: Ahura Mazda.
"Him, the powerful Yazata, the mighty Mithras towering above all creatures, I shall worship Him Who owns wide fields, Who knows the right sayings, Who is eloquent, Who has a thousand ears, Who is fair, Who has ten thousand eyes, Who stands on a broad rampart, Who is mighty and sleepless and vigilant.
"Mithras we worship: Him Who owns wide fields, the vigilant one, Whose dwelling is as wide as the earth. It is built within matter. It is spacious, exposed to no needs, radiant, and offering shelter all around. Eight helpers of Mithras are dwelling as his spies on all the mountains, on all the ramparts...
"Mithras, the owner of wide fields, drives around raising His arms for the sake of safety. He guides His fair chariot, able to withstand all dangers and encrested with golden ornaments, to the radiant House of Praise. The chariot is drawn by four white steeds which are immortal and enjoy the nourishment of the spirit. Their front hoofs are fashioned of gold, their hind ones of silver."
Then are enumerated the hosts accompanying Mithras at the right and left as he descends. The story goes on: In the chariot of Mithras, who owns wide fields, there are a thousand bows. Moving through the air, they fly on the head of the Devas.
In the chariot of Mithras, who owns wide fields, there are a thousand arrows, golden-pointed, furnished with vulture feathers, set with barbs, beautifully fashioned. Moving through the air, they fly on the heads of the Devas.
(The same is said of spears, axes, daggers, clubs, and clubs with a hundred studs.)
Sorely afraid is the evil-doing Anra Mainyav [Ahriman]. (The same is said of other evil beings.)
Let us in no wise expose ourselves to the blows of Mithras, who owns wide fields, waxing furious. Mayest thou not, O Mithras, wax furious and send blows against us, thou, who art the most valiant of the Yazata and ownest wide fields...
- From the Avesta
"Him, the powerful Yazata, the mighty Mithras towering above all creatures, I shall worship Him Who owns wide fields, Who knows the right sayings, Who is eloquent, Who has a thousand ears, Who is fair, Who has ten thousand eyes, Who stands on a broad rampart, Who is mighty and sleepless and vigilant.
"Mithras we worship: Him Who owns wide fields, the vigilant one, Whose dwelling is as wide as the earth. It is built within matter. It is spacious, exposed to no needs, radiant, and offering shelter all around. Eight helpers of Mithras are dwelling as his spies on all the mountains, on all the ramparts...
"Mithras, the owner of wide fields, drives around raising His arms for the sake of safety. He guides His fair chariot, able to withstand all dangers and encrested with golden ornaments, to the radiant House of Praise. The chariot is drawn by four white steeds which are immortal and enjoy the nourishment of the spirit. Their front hoofs are fashioned of gold, their hind ones of silver."
Then are enumerated the hosts accompanying Mithras at the right and left as he descends. The story goes on: In the chariot of Mithras, who owns wide fields, there are a thousand bows. Moving through the air, they fly on the head of the Devas.
In the chariot of Mithras, who owns wide fields, there are a thousand arrows, golden-pointed, furnished with vulture feathers, set with barbs, beautifully fashioned. Moving through the air, they fly on the heads of the Devas.
(The same is said of spears, axes, daggers, clubs, and clubs with a hundred studs.)
Sorely afraid is the evil-doing Anra Mainyav [Ahriman]. (The same is said of other evil beings.)
Let us in no wise expose ourselves to the blows of Mithras, who owns wide fields, waxing furious. Mayest thou not, O Mithras, wax furious and send blows against us, thou, who art the most valiant of the Yazata and ownest wide fields...
- From the Avesta
Mithras, Revealing the Sacred Names
Mayest thou bestow grace upon me, providence and destiny, when I am writing down the first transmitted Mysteries. I am writing them down for my child, Immortality, the Mystic worthy of this our might, which the great God Helios Mithras has given to me at the hands of his Archangel, so that I, an eagle, may enter Heaven and envisage all.
(Then it is said of Mithras:) O Lord, Who hast closed with the spirit-breath the fiery keys of Heaven, thou two-bodied One, reigning over the fire, the light's creator and guardian, breathing fire, invigorated by fire, spirit-radiant, fire-rejoicing, radiantly beauteous, light-dweller, flame-whirler, light-creating, fire-planting, fire-enraged, lightning-swept, light-glorified, light-expanded, light-supporting, star-conqueror: Reveal to me ... the names that have not been known to mortal nature; the names never pronounced by a human tongue in lucid language, never pronounced by a human sound, or a human voice. Reveal to me the eternally living and reverenced names.
— From a Mithras Liturgy
(Then it is said of Mithras:) O Lord, Who hast closed with the spirit-breath the fiery keys of Heaven, thou two-bodied One, reigning over the fire, the light's creator and guardian, breathing fire, invigorated by fire, spirit-radiant, fire-rejoicing, radiantly beauteous, light-dweller, flame-whirler, light-creating, fire-planting, fire-enraged, lightning-swept, light-glorified, light-expanded, light-supporting, star-conqueror: Reveal to me ... the names that have not been known to mortal nature; the names never pronounced by a human tongue in lucid language, never pronounced by a human sound, or a human voice. Reveal to me the eternally living and reverenced names.
— From a Mithras Liturgy
Michael as Marduk
When Heaven on high had not yet been named,
And the depth of the earth was known by no name -
When Apsu, who made them, and Tiamat Mummu
Still into oneness their waters were merging -
When no field was there and no reed was rustling,
When no name was sounded, and no fate fulfilled,
Then arose from the depth the gods and their rule.
The unending spans of the ages were dwindling
And from the lower the upper broke loose.
Then Anu and Inlil were joined in threefoldness
With Ea as third.
Then Marduk the glorious, the shaper of fate,
Of Ea and Damkina was he born.
His gleaming body rays into the depth,
To the grief of the darkness, the enemy of light.
Then is it told how Apsu and Tiamat are grief-stricken and how their son Mummu wants to destroy the light and replace it with darkness. Talking to and fro concerning this venture, Tiamat's helpers mass against the upper gods. Tiamat, the mother of Hight, arms her warriors with eleven kinds of monsters. Kingu, the fire-god, becomes Tiamat's spouse and, worshipped by all, is enthroned as leader, the tablets of destiny on his breast.
Now Amschar tells the upper gods what has happened. He sends out Anu, his son, that he might calm Tiamat. But when Amu beholds Tiamat's countenance, he returns despondently. Also a second god cannot stand up before Tiamat. Then appears Marduk:
The father's speech by Marduk was heard.
With pounding heart he said unto the father:
Ye gods! What is to become of ye all?
The rebels against you I will try to subdue.
If Tiamat I slay, thus saving your life,
Then destiny's course will I ever ordain,
And with the gods will I share the repast.
May ye joyfully dwell in destiny's halls,
Where my mouth will decree the runes of fate.
And never may be revoked what I say,
For ever abides the word of my mouth.
Then Amshar asks the gods to accept Marduk's offer. He sends the messenger Gaga to Lachmu and Lachamu, telling them to bestow the leadership on Marduk. The gods hear it. First they grieve at Tiamat's fate. But then, coming to the repast of bread and wine, they install Marduk as leader.
And there was he given the throne of his fathers,
His was the decision above all the others
The highest art thou amongst the great gods,
Thy lot is supreme and Amu thy name.
Marduk art thou, the greatest of gods,
Thy lot is supreme and Amu thy name.
From this hour on, thy word shall prevail.
To reward or to chastise falls only to thee.
The word of thy mouth may not be gainsaid:
For thy might supersedes that of all other gods.
Now the destiny of all other gods is given over to Marduk. He shall decide over all their destinies. Whoever confides in Marduk shall be forgiven. Whoever plots evil shall be "of life bereft?"
Now the "Creative Word" is transmitted to Marduk. Becoming and dying take place at his command. Then he is appointed with the crown, the scepter, and the ring. He receives an invincible weapon. Protected by this armor, he shall fight against Taimat
The lightning flares up in front of his path.
He immerses himself in the glowing blaze.
Marduk has a gigantic net, which he throws over Tiamat. He places four world guardians in the North and South and East and West, so that no part of Tiamat may escape. He calls unto the four winds to carry Tiamat's blood into the hidden places.
He created the tempest, the storm of the South,
The four winds and the seven, a whirling disaster.
And he lets them loose, the forces the seven,
To beguile and to frighten Tiamat's heart.
He wards her off, if she venture to follow.
Thus he as the Lord took the storm as his weapon,
The chariot he mounts, whose course begets fear.
Four foaming steeds to the chariot are harnessed.
He drives them relentless, courageous, and fast.
Thus Marduk drives on amidst the tempest, his head illuminated by the strokes of the lightning. He attacks Tiamat, while all the gods look on full of suspense. His blazing eye penetrates Tiamat's darkness. He beholds the fearful countenance of her spouse. When the latter wavers, Tiamat opens her jaws. Marduk sends the winds and the storm into her gorge. He throws his net over her.
He flings at her the weapon, the whirling,
He divides her body, that she bursts into two.
And so he defeats her and Tiamat slays.
He steps on the body lying there prone.
Then he captures Tiamat's helpers with his net. Their howling resounds in the four corners of the world. He subdues the eleven kinds of monsters. Then he defeats Kingu and wrests from him the tablets of destiny which he has usurped. He sets his seal upon them and fastens them to his breast. But he crushes Tiamat's body and crushes her head. He severs her veins and lets the wind carry away her blood. Thus did Marduk divide Tiamat into two parts. Out of the one he made the earth, out of the other the sky.
- After the Babylonian Song of World Creation as given by Friedrich Delitzsch
And the depth of the earth was known by no name -
When Apsu, who made them, and Tiamat Mummu
Still into oneness their waters were merging -
When no field was there and no reed was rustling,
When no name was sounded, and no fate fulfilled,
Then arose from the depth the gods and their rule.
The unending spans of the ages were dwindling
And from the lower the upper broke loose.
Then Anu and Inlil were joined in threefoldness
With Ea as third.
Then Marduk the glorious, the shaper of fate,
Of Ea and Damkina was he born.
His gleaming body rays into the depth,
To the grief of the darkness, the enemy of light.
Then is it told how Apsu and Tiamat are grief-stricken and how their son Mummu wants to destroy the light and replace it with darkness. Talking to and fro concerning this venture, Tiamat's helpers mass against the upper gods. Tiamat, the mother of Hight, arms her warriors with eleven kinds of monsters. Kingu, the fire-god, becomes Tiamat's spouse and, worshipped by all, is enthroned as leader, the tablets of destiny on his breast.
Now Amschar tells the upper gods what has happened. He sends out Anu, his son, that he might calm Tiamat. But when Amu beholds Tiamat's countenance, he returns despondently. Also a second god cannot stand up before Tiamat. Then appears Marduk:
The father's speech by Marduk was heard.
With pounding heart he said unto the father:
Ye gods! What is to become of ye all?
The rebels against you I will try to subdue.
If Tiamat I slay, thus saving your life,
Then destiny's course will I ever ordain,
And with the gods will I share the repast.
May ye joyfully dwell in destiny's halls,
Where my mouth will decree the runes of fate.
And never may be revoked what I say,
For ever abides the word of my mouth.
Then Amshar asks the gods to accept Marduk's offer. He sends the messenger Gaga to Lachmu and Lachamu, telling them to bestow the leadership on Marduk. The gods hear it. First they grieve at Tiamat's fate. But then, coming to the repast of bread and wine, they install Marduk as leader.
And there was he given the throne of his fathers,
His was the decision above all the others
The highest art thou amongst the great gods,
Thy lot is supreme and Amu thy name.
Marduk art thou, the greatest of gods,
Thy lot is supreme and Amu thy name.
From this hour on, thy word shall prevail.
To reward or to chastise falls only to thee.
The word of thy mouth may not be gainsaid:
For thy might supersedes that of all other gods.
Now the destiny of all other gods is given over to Marduk. He shall decide over all their destinies. Whoever confides in Marduk shall be forgiven. Whoever plots evil shall be "of life bereft?"
Now the "Creative Word" is transmitted to Marduk. Becoming and dying take place at his command. Then he is appointed with the crown, the scepter, and the ring. He receives an invincible weapon. Protected by this armor, he shall fight against Taimat
The lightning flares up in front of his path.
He immerses himself in the glowing blaze.
Marduk has a gigantic net, which he throws over Tiamat. He places four world guardians in the North and South and East and West, so that no part of Tiamat may escape. He calls unto the four winds to carry Tiamat's blood into the hidden places.
He created the tempest, the storm of the South,
The four winds and the seven, a whirling disaster.
And he lets them loose, the forces the seven,
To beguile and to frighten Tiamat's heart.
He wards her off, if she venture to follow.
Thus he as the Lord took the storm as his weapon,
The chariot he mounts, whose course begets fear.
Four foaming steeds to the chariot are harnessed.
He drives them relentless, courageous, and fast.
Thus Marduk drives on amidst the tempest, his head illuminated by the strokes of the lightning. He attacks Tiamat, while all the gods look on full of suspense. His blazing eye penetrates Tiamat's darkness. He beholds the fearful countenance of her spouse. When the latter wavers, Tiamat opens her jaws. Marduk sends the winds and the storm into her gorge. He throws his net over her.
He flings at her the weapon, the whirling,
He divides her body, that she bursts into two.
And so he defeats her and Tiamat slays.
He steps on the body lying there prone.
Then he captures Tiamat's helpers with his net. Their howling resounds in the four corners of the world. He subdues the eleven kinds of monsters. Then he defeats Kingu and wrests from him the tablets of destiny which he has usurped. He sets his seal upon them and fastens them to his breast. But he crushes Tiamat's body and crushes her head. He severs her veins and lets the wind carry away her blood. Thus did Marduk divide Tiamat into two parts. Out of the one he made the earth, out of the other the sky.
- After the Babylonian Song of World Creation as given by Friedrich Delitzsch