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
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 3)
Michael According to the Conceptions of the Hebrew People or in Connection with these Conceptions
The Creation of Adam
Out of eight parts did God fashion man. From the earth did He take the bones; from the ocean the blood; from the sun beauty; from the clouds the thoughts; from the wind the breath; from the stone mercy and strength; from love humility; from the spirit wisdom.
And when God had created man, there was for him no name.
The Heavens' expanse is the Father,
The round of the earth is the Son,
The ocean's depth is the Holy Spirit.
But God's creature had as yet no name. And God called unto the four Angels: Michael - Gabriel - Uriel - Raphael. And God said unto the angels: "Go ye out and find a name for man."
Michael went Eastward and met the Star whose name is Anathos and took from it the 'A' and brought it unto God. And Gabriel went Westward and saw the Star whose name is Disis and took from it the 'D' and brought it unto God. And Uriel wended his way towards Midnight and saw the star whose name is Aratus and took from it the 'A' and brought it unto God. And Raphael wended his way towards the Meridian and saw the star whose name was Mebrie and took the 'M' and brought it unto God.
And God commanded unto Michael to pronounce the word that was the name of man.
And Michael spake: ADAM.
And Adam was the first man on earth.
-Russian Legend
And when God had created man, there was for him no name.
The Heavens' expanse is the Father,
The round of the earth is the Son,
The ocean's depth is the Holy Spirit.
But God's creature had as yet no name. And God called unto the four Angels: Michael - Gabriel - Uriel - Raphael. And God said unto the angels: "Go ye out and find a name for man."
Michael went Eastward and met the Star whose name is Anathos and took from it the 'A' and brought it unto God. And Gabriel went Westward and saw the Star whose name is Disis and took from it the 'D' and brought it unto God. And Uriel wended his way towards Midnight and saw the star whose name is Aratus and took from it the 'A' and brought it unto God. And Raphael wended his way towards the Meridian and saw the star whose name was Mebrie and took the 'M' and brought it unto God.
And God commanded unto Michael to pronounce the word that was the name of man.
And Michael spake: ADAM.
And Adam was the first man on earth.
-Russian Legend
Michael as Guardian of the Word
Thus the Two of them went forth and found Abel,
Him who had been slain by his brother Cain.
And God spake unto the Archangel Michael:
"Tell this unto Adam:
Reveal thou not unto thy son Cain
The secret that thou knowest.
For Cain is the son of wrath.
Be not aggrieved!
In place of Cain
Another son unto thee will I give
Who will reveal to thee
All that thou shouldst do unto him.
But thou mayest reveal nought to him!"
Thus the Archangel spake unto Adam.
And Adam sheltered the word in his heart,
Together with Eva
Who was grieving for Abel, her son.
- Hebrew Legend
Him who had been slain by his brother Cain.
And God spake unto the Archangel Michael:
"Tell this unto Adam:
Reveal thou not unto thy son Cain
The secret that thou knowest.
For Cain is the son of wrath.
Be not aggrieved!
In place of Cain
Another son unto thee will I give
Who will reveal to thee
All that thou shouldst do unto him.
But thou mayest reveal nought to him!"
Thus the Archangel spake unto Adam.
And Adam sheltered the word in his heart,
Together with Eva
Who was grieving for Abel, her son.
- Hebrew Legend
Michael Tests Moses' Willingness to Sacrifice
One day a dove flew hastily to Moses, the great prophet, and implored him thus: "Mercy, thou prophet of God! I am threatened by a savage beast! Save me from its clutches!" Moses granted an asylum to the frightened bird by hiding it under his garment.
But now a hawk came flying after the dove and said to the prophet: "Oh, Moses! I am tortured by hunger. I and my brood are crying for nourishment. By depriving us of our food, thou hast done a grievous wrong unto us."
Moses answered: "Oh hawk! Doest thou demand of me this dove or any kind of food? In the first case, I must tell thee that this innocent creature has sought out my protection and that under no circumstances will I let it perish. In the second case, however, I must endeavor to provide thee with food, lest thou return empty-handed."
When the hawk answered that it would be satisfied with any kind of food, Moses cut off as much flesh from his holy limbs as equalled the weight of a dove.
As he was handing it to the hawk, the bird of prey said unto him: "Oh prophet of God! I am Michael and what thou didst believe to be a dove was Gabriel. We came unto thee in such shape to test thy generosity and thy nobility of heart." And with these words, both vanished.
- Hebrew Legend
But now a hawk came flying after the dove and said to the prophet: "Oh, Moses! I am tortured by hunger. I and my brood are crying for nourishment. By depriving us of our food, thou hast done a grievous wrong unto us."
Moses answered: "Oh hawk! Doest thou demand of me this dove or any kind of food? In the first case, I must tell thee that this innocent creature has sought out my protection and that under no circumstances will I let it perish. In the second case, however, I must endeavor to provide thee with food, lest thou return empty-handed."
When the hawk answered that it would be satisfied with any kind of food, Moses cut off as much flesh from his holy limbs as equalled the weight of a dove.
As he was handing it to the hawk, the bird of prey said unto him: "Oh prophet of God! I am Michael and what thou didst believe to be a dove was Gabriel. We came unto thee in such shape to test thy generosity and thy nobility of heart." And with these words, both vanished.
- Hebrew Legend
Michael as the Savior of Isaac
God desired to test Abraham. A potter testing his vessels does not choose the least solid which crumbles up when being struck. He chooses the best which will not break, be it struck ever so hard. Thus the Lord does not test the godless, but only the righteous, as it says in the Scriptures: "The Lord will test the righteous man."
Abraham bethought himself concerning his own being and said: "I felt myself full of joy and made the others rejoice. But unto the Lord I have sacrificed not even a bull or a ram."
Then spake the Lord: "Should I command thee to sacrifice thy son unto Me, thou shalt not tarry." And the Lord spake unto Abraham: "Take thy only son and betake thyself to the land of Moriah and sacrifice him on one of the mounts that I will show unto thee." And wherefore did not the Lord show unto him the place
of the sacrifice? So that he would cherish it more and he might receive his reward for every word that had been spoken.
Abraham spake unto the Lord: "Almighty Lord! May there be a sacrifice without a priest?"
Then spake the Lord: "I have ordered that thou shalt be the priest."
Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and carried it like unto a man carrying a cross on his shoulder. And when they were come unto the place
whereof the Lord had spoken, Abraham began to build the altar and bound Isaac, his son. He stretched out his hand to grasp the knife and the tears of compassion streaming out of his eyes fell into Isaac's eyes. And withal Abraham's heart rejoiced for fulfilling the will of the Creator. And the serving angels gathered around them, crying: "Desolate are the paths."
Thereupon said the Lord unto Michael: "Wherefore standest thou there? See to it that Abraham may not do it."
Then Michael began to call unto Abraham, as a man cries out in fear: "What art thou doing?" And Abraham turned his countenance towards Michael who spake: "Take thy hand off the lad!"
In other books, the story is told in this fashion: In this hour, Abraham raised his eyes unto heaven and spake: "Lord of Lords! If ever my children should stand before Thee in tribulation, mayest Thou think of this hour in which I stand before Thee."
- Hebrew Legend
Abraham bethought himself concerning his own being and said: "I felt myself full of joy and made the others rejoice. But unto the Lord I have sacrificed not even a bull or a ram."
Then spake the Lord: "Should I command thee to sacrifice thy son unto Me, thou shalt not tarry." And the Lord spake unto Abraham: "Take thy only son and betake thyself to the land of Moriah and sacrifice him on one of the mounts that I will show unto thee." And wherefore did not the Lord show unto him the place
of the sacrifice? So that he would cherish it more and he might receive his reward for every word that had been spoken.
Abraham spake unto the Lord: "Almighty Lord! May there be a sacrifice without a priest?"
Then spake the Lord: "I have ordered that thou shalt be the priest."
Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and carried it like unto a man carrying a cross on his shoulder. And when they were come unto the place
whereof the Lord had spoken, Abraham began to build the altar and bound Isaac, his son. He stretched out his hand to grasp the knife and the tears of compassion streaming out of his eyes fell into Isaac's eyes. And withal Abraham's heart rejoiced for fulfilling the will of the Creator. And the serving angels gathered around them, crying: "Desolate are the paths."
Thereupon said the Lord unto Michael: "Wherefore standest thou there? See to it that Abraham may not do it."
Then Michael began to call unto Abraham, as a man cries out in fear: "What art thou doing?" And Abraham turned his countenance towards Michael who spake: "Take thy hand off the lad!"
In other books, the story is told in this fashion: In this hour, Abraham raised his eyes unto heaven and spake: "Lord of Lords! If ever my children should stand before Thee in tribulation, mayest Thou think of this hour in which I stand before Thee."
- Hebrew Legend
