Michaelmas Study 2023 (Week 8)

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."
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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.

Michael Leads the Army of Barbarossa

German Legend

During the Crusade undertaken by the Emperor Friedrich Barbarossa, the opposing armies met after the holy festival of Pentecost. The Crusaders defeated the enemy. The victorious outcome of this great battle, during which four renowned generals of the Turks were slain and even the son of the Sultan unhorsed, was attributed to a memorable event. For, on this day, the knight Ludwig of Helfenstein saw St. George* ride in front of the Crusaders. This was publicly affirmed, in the presence of the Emperor and the army, by Ludwig of Helfenstein who swore on his vow as a Crusader that he was speaking the truth.

And the Turks themselves said that some of them had seen a number of warriors clothed in white garments and riding on white steeds.
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*St. George represents in the legends the Michaelic force within the human soul.

To St. Michael

Latin Hymn of the Middle Ages, 11th century

Since we possess thee
As mighty protector, Oh Michael,
Of our companions in Heaven,
We pray thee--
Since we endeavor to serve God--
To let us take part
In these companions' indescribable bliss
Which, as we firmly believe,
Is granted to them
By the vision of God.
For this alone
Is the Saints' true and eternal bliss.
But we know:
This will be granted to us only
If we strive to do good deeds.
Therefore we implore thee
To pray to God That He may teach us
The ways of the Saints,
So that we may enter into the forecourt
Where only those are admitted
Who live without blemish.
Thou, who hast forever
Held fast the Love of God
And remained immortal for all time:
Ask that we may be given
After death eternal peace.

How Henry Il Beheld Michael on Monte Gargano and How He was Touched and Lamed by Him

German Legend

Anyone desirous to know how the renowned Emperor Henry II was lamed—although at first possessing a sound body—should now be told the cause. For when he had come to Apulia to order affairs of state, he climbed up on Monte Gargano, on whose summit lies a settlement. In a vaulted cave at the side of the mountain is a Cathedral, neither built nor consecrated by men.

For it was miraculously built through divine help and overflowing virtue. And it was reverently consecrated through divine blessing. The patron saint of this Cathedral is the Archangel Michael. And it is said that the angel appears in this church, which is opened once a week, to all those calling unto him in a worthy manner.

And so the pious Emperor, together with other faithful Christians, entered the Cathedral to say his prayers. And after they had sung hymns in praise of the divine and, full of reverence, made their vows to God, the time was come when the Heavenly Hosts were wont to enter the sacred Temple, so that the divine ritual might be worthily concluded. When all the people had left and those who were loitering urged to leave the Cathedral, the holy Emperor asked whether it would be possible for him to remain inside. And when all were gone, he resolved to remain inside and trust in the mercy of God. Saying one prayer after the other, he bent his knee to the ground. Now he dedicated himself, amidst many tears, to God's mildness; then he endeavored to confide his soul into the keeping of the blessed Archangel Michael.

When the pure prayer of the pious Emperor arose to God like unto incense, he was granted a vision by the God of Israel, Who works miracles amidst the Saints. For he saw the numerous host of angels, who gleamed like the sun, entering the Temple. Two of them solemnly adorned the altar. Then he beheld innumerable hosts of divine beings. They were radiant like palpitating lightning and revealed their leader in all the brilliance of his splendor. This was doubtless the Archangel carrying the banner of the Heavenly Hosts. At last the Emperor could see the One who is the master, the King of Angels, coming with greatest might and force. The countless Heavenly Host, in all its indescribable radiance, obeys Michael whose beckoning guides all that happens in Heaven and on earth.

Then the Chorus assembled in the holy Cathedral praised the New Jerusalem and celebrated the services in the most exalted fashion. When these had been concluded, one of the angels handed, most reverently, the text of the Holy Gospel to the divine personage who kissed the Gospel and commanded the angel to pass it on to the Emperor, who lay in a corner, so that he too might kiss it.
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But the Emperor, the disciple of Christ, was beset by fear in his spirit upon beholding this vision of such extraordinary majesty and glory. And all his limbs trembled, as the prophet has said: "My heart is shattered within me and my limbs are trembling." (Jerem. 23,9) When the angel saw this, he lightly touched the Emperor's side, saying: "Fear not, thou man elected by God! Rise quickly and joyously accept the sign of divine peace that is given to thee." And at once his thigh slackened and he became lame henceforth. A similar event is told of the holy patriarch Jacob, whose side was lamed by the angel with whom he struggled.

Prayer

from old Norway, circa 1300

Almighty God,
Mayest Thou redeem me
And redeem my spirit from hell.
Almighty God,
Mayest Thou watch over my spirit
And protect it from darkness.
In Thee, Christ Jesus, is founded my faith.
I am the work of Thy hands,
So do not forsake me.
To thee, holy Archangel Michael, in love I pray.
Thou hast the power to receive the souls.
So mayest thou worthily accept and protect my soul
When it will be taken away from my body.
Save it from the violence of my enemies
Who want it to cross the threshold of hell
And walk the paths of darkness.
May not the lion halt my soul
Nor the dragon wont to send the spirit to hell
And deliver it to eternal torment.
I pray Thee, Almighty God,
Send to my help the holy Angel.
Help me through his sweet mildness,
Ere the jaws of hell will stifle me.

The Death of St. Elizabeth of Thuringa

German Legend

In pangs of death and torment lay
The Lady pure for one whole day
And one whole night; this was the time
That first to her had been announced.
And though the Lord had granted her
Much mercy in her earthly life,
And though her life was good and pure,
She did not want to proffer it
To the great splendor of her God.
For worthy she not deemed herself
To let her life flow back to God.
And thus in doubt and care she lay, 
Beset by her unworthiness,
Till help and mercy came from God 
And ended all her misery.
Soft music of the heavenly spheres, 
The sound of jubilating harps, 
Was wafted to her tenderly 
And brought her gentle quietness.
Upwards arose her soul so pure
So that her God she could espouse, 
And slowly downward sank her head 
When softly she gave up the ghost.
And then St. Michael came nigh
Amidst the Hosts of Heaven high.
There followed choirs of the Saints 
And all the great angelic hosts.
To her St. Michael had come
That her sweet soul he might receive.
And now in triumph she was led 
To stand before God's radiant eyes
And to receive her full reward:
Eternally to wear the crown
And glorify Almighty God
And multiply all His Renown.

Lucifer's Crown

from the "Singers' Contest on the Wartburg," 13th century

Now hear about the splendid crown:
Designed it was by sixty thousand angels 
Who wanted to eject the Lord from Heaven.
And thus thine it became, oh Lucifer!
Wherever wise and worthy master priests are found, 
They know full well that I the truth do speak.

St. Michael saw God's wrath anent Lucifer's boasts:
His sword to pieces broke the crown 
And hurled it from the head of Lucifer.
One of the precious stones fell out of it.
And this on earth was handed unto Parzival.

The Vision of Jeanne d'Arc

Account of Jeanne d'Arc's deposition

In the summer of 1425, at the age of thirteen, Jeanne had her first vision. The day before had been a festival. Around noon, standing in her father's garden, she heard a voice that came from the church which lay at her right side. Thence a bright radiance was wafted to her eyes. Jeanne felt great fear and great doubt, although the voice seemed to her good and worthy. Only after she had heard the voice thrice did she recognize it as an angel's voice. This angel was St. Michael. He was not alone, but surrounded by many angelic beings.

Jeanne understood what the voice said. Michael told her to be a good girl, lead a good life, and go to church diligently. God would help her. Then he spoke of the great misfortune that had befallen France and revealed to her that she should go to Paris and help the King. Finally Michael announced that St. Catherine and St. Margaret would come to her and guide her. Jeanne was to follow their counsels and have faith in their words, for Catherine and Margaret were benevolent spirits who had been commanded to help her and tell her what to do. This was God's Order.

Jeanne believed as firmly in the words and deeds of Michael as she believed that Jesus Christ had suffered and died for us. What moved her to such faith was His good counsel, His wise teaching, and the help that He bestowed on her. If the devil had clothed himself in the garment of a good angel, Jeanne would easily have recognized that it was not St. Michael but a being that aped him.

Michael, the Angel, Speaketh

from Hans Sachs: Tragedy of the Creation, Fall and Eviction from Paradise

God in His Likeness man created, 
To share in everlasting life.
And therefore God did not in vain
Create him out of crumbling dust, 
So that his body, weak and frail, 
Would know how weak his being was 
And thus withstand all haughtiness.
Man can do nothing, is not fit 
To practice virtue, bring forth art;
But weak and earth-bound was he made 
So that in freedom he might know
That the Creator all alone
Man's highest good doth represent.

Michael in the European East

St. Michael on the Crescent Moon 

after a Polish Legend

Hast thou seen gleam up, in clear and exalted autumn nights, the sparkling stars on the sky? They rise like hope in a human soul; they dive down in radiant force, like a human heart's resolve. Then they are called falling stars by men. But whoever loves his angel—and from childhood on, knows no fear—recognizes their true being. He sees in the clear autumn nights amidst the stars the great warrior who is called St. George on earth, but St. Michael in the Heavens. And he sees his countenance shining in golden Wisdom which, unconscious of itself, reflects the heart of the highest Godhead. And he sees his arm with the shimmering weapon which, strong and pure, seems to be hardened by Divine Justice.

And with his valiant hand, St. Michael strikes the sword, which will destroy the crawling, the desirous, the wallowing, the corroding impurity. And when St. Michael strikes his sword, the stars tremble and diamantine sparks fly through the air.

Hast thou seen glide, in dark winter nights, the delicate moon crescent above the gossamer white clouds? There is around them something like a rustling of distant grass growing on the wide and fair meadows of Heaven. The hearts of men looking at the crescent in wintry nights are seized by a longing to be far, far away. But whoever loves his angel—and, from childhood on, has harbored purity in his heart — sees something else. He sees the Heavenly Virgin Maria standing on the narrow silver crescent. And he knows that she is a Queen. For she smiles at those who are longing and hungering on earth. And she bestows on them heavenly wheat-corns which fall down from her rosy hands and bring blessings to earth. She prays that the depths may become filled and may become good and may become penetrated with the miracle harbored in the heights. She bestows blessings with hands that are folded in prayer.

And one day it will happen that the birch tree, when its leaves are falling in autumn, will not weep because of its bereavement. Then the leaves will joyously fall down to earth. And one day a stairway, whose steps resemble milk-white stone, will appear above the moon. And Maria, waving her hands in a promise of redemption, will walk up the white steps unto the golden table spread in Heaven with the thanksgiving of men on whom the harvest has been bestowed. And it seems as if her foot is treading on fluttering doves' wings.

Henceforth the moon's crescent will not be forsaken. A song will resound from it, such as has never been heard in Heaven and on earth. St. Michael will stand on the crescent. As a heavenly smith, he has forged his sword into the frame of a lyre whose strings are fashioned from men's valiant thoughts. The dragon-slayer will play and sing. He will perform his office as heavenly lutist.
Strength is alive in his song. He will sing of consolation and fulfillment of old promises. He will sing of the outflowing of the highest light encompassing the smile of Maria.

And the birch tree will tremble down to its very pith in its joyfulness whenever this song is sounded. And autumn will be the same to it as spring.

Many a man will not see it; many a man not hear it. But whoever loves his angel and harbors faithfulness in his heart: Such a one knows the song full well and will want to be better.

Of Michael, the Archangel

from the Russian

And now come forth, oh man, climb up the Mount of Zion,
Gaze at the Mother Earth, moistened by gushing springs.
What makes the earth so rich and fair?
What fills the earth so splendidly?
What covers it so radiantly?
The earth is adorned with the Temples of God, 
The earth is filled with the Mercy of God.
And the earth is covered with precious stones,
And a stream that is blazing in fire.
There rides the ferryman: Michael the Prince, 
Who leads the souls of all that are pure 
Through the fiery stream to the portal of light, 
To the heavenly forecourt illumined by the sun, 
To the throne of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob 
And to Christ, the eternal Guardian of Heaven.
And there the voices of angels resound 
And there the Cherubims' songs come forth.
But the sinners' souls are left behind, 
And the sinful souls, they weep and pray:
"Mayest thou, Oh Michael, Prince of Peace, 
Lead us also on through the fire-stream 
Through the fire-stream to the portal of light, 
To the heavenly forecourt illumined by the sun, 
To the throne of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob!" 
And in answer says Michael these brazen words:
"Oh all ye could! Ye sinful ones!
How did ye live in the world of God?
Ye never loved the goodly deed, 
Ye spent Good Friday in empty chatter, 
Ye never greeted the Holy Sunday,
Ye were no guests in the Temple of God, 
Ye took the Communion without hunger of heart, 
Ye gave to the beggar neither drink nor bread, 
Ye did not clothe the naked wanderer, 
Ye never helped him who fell down on the way, 
Ye never prayed for those who have died.
And so go alone to the fiery stream!"
And the souls went alone through the fire-stream, 
And their bodies glowed in the fire-sea,
And the hair on their heads was writhing like flames.
And, moaning, they fell on the bosom of earth:
"Oh father, oh mother! Why did ye beget us?
Had we but died at the mother's breast!"