St. Michael, who ranks among the seven archangels, is also one of the three angels mentioned by name in the Bible. The other two mentioned are Raphael and Gabriel. St. Michael is mentioned twice in both the Old and New Testaments.
St. Michael is first spoken of in the Book of Daniel. In chapter 10, Michael comes to comfort Daniel after he had had a vision and promises to be his helper in all things. In the twelfth chapter of Daniel, Michael is called "the great prince who standeth for the children of Thy people." These references represent Michael as Israel's great support during the seventy years of the Babylonian captivity. Daniel was a wise and holy leader and he wanted his people to understand that God had not forgotten them and then even though they were enslaved, they had a royal champion in St. Michael.
In the New Testament, Michael is mentioned in the book of Jude, chapter nine. In that passage, we are told that Michael disputed with the devil over the body of Moses. This episode is not mentioned anywhere else in the Bible.
In Revelation, chapter 12, we find a very dramatic reference to St. Michael. John (the author of the Book of Revelation) recounts the great battle in Heaven, when the wicked angels under Lucifer revolt against God. Michael led the faithful angels, defeating the hosts of evil and driving them out of heaven. The have been many dipictions of this episode in art. The poet, Milton, recounts this in his famous work, Paradise Lost.
Because of this victory, St. Michael is held in Catholic tradition as the protector of the Church. He was regarded as the protector of the Israelites also. In the Eastern Church and among many theologians in the West, St. Michael is placed over all the angels as prince of the Seraphim. His is the special patron of sick people mariners and grocers. His emblems are a banner, a sword, a dragon and scales. The name Michael is a variation of Micah, meaning in Hebrew, "Who is like God." St. Michael's feast day is September 29.
