Troparion Tone 5
Saint Michael, Warrior Angel, please keep safe all those who serve righteousness and righteous rulers; may they return whole and blessed to their families at the end of their service and thank God for his Mercy.
Reading from the Book of Daniel
I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision; those who were with me did not see it, but such terror overwhelmed them that they fled and hid themselves. So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale and I was helpless. Then I heard him speaking, and as I listened to him, I fell into a deep sleep, my face to the ground. A hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. He said, “Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling.
Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them; But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come.”
While he was saying this to me, I bowed with my face toward the ground and was speechless. Then one who looked like a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing before me, “I am overcome with anguish because of the vision, my lord, and I feel very weak. How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe.”
Again the one who looked like a man touched me and gave me strength. “Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed,” he said. “Peace! Be strong now; be strong
~Chapter:10 Verses:7 to 19
Reading from the Book of Enoch
These are the names of the angels who watch. Uriel, one of the holy angels, who presides over clamour and terror. Raphael, one of the holy angels, who presides over the spirits of men. Raguel, one of the holy angels, who inflicts punishment on the world and the luminaries. Michael, one of the holy angels, who, presiding over human virtue, commands the nations. Sarakiel, one of the holy angels, who presides over the spirits of the children of men that transgress. Gabriel, one of the holy angels, who presides over Ikisat, over paradise, and over the cherubim.
~Chapter:20 Verses:1 to 7
Gospel of Matthew
Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked. “Yes,” they replied. He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.
~Chapter:13 Verses:47 to 52
Homily
Saint Michael the Archangel is the patron saint of all righteous warriors. He served God before Adam, serves mankind during times of great strife, and battles to the end against all of God’s foes. It is wise that soldiers of all kinds seek his council and pray not just for his might but for his wisdom. Soldiers are asked to do the very thing that man is asked not to, they must defend and protect, and if necessary attack, person and property in that small window between life and death.
Counsel in quick decisions that have dire consequences is the realm of Angels and those who walked with God long before us. Living with the consequences of those actions and resting the body and soul afterwards is often a difficult and long process. Becoming a citizen after having been a warrior requires a laying down of sword and service in body, mind and spirit that soldiers need our prayers as citizens for. We pray to thank them for battling on our behalf but also to release them from it. To offer rest and respite to those who have served is a type of our own service and an offering to Saint Michael the Archangel himself. Righteous service to a righteous ruler is the best hope of a soldier today. Let us pray that those doing so find themselves protected in their service and long after in their community, and among the Angels.
~Elisheva+
