What date is the church holiday of St. Michael's miracle. Michael's miracle: history, traditions, rituals and what not to do
On this day, the Orthodox Church celebrates the memory of the miracle of the Archangel Michael in Khoneh (Colossae) - the miraculous appearance of the saint and his salvation of the temple from pagan attacks.
Saint Michael is the patron and ally of those who fight evil, the protector of the souls of the dead and the guardian of the gates of heaven.
Michael's miracle: traditions and rituals
It is prohibited to work on this day. If it is not possible to postpone or reschedule things, then you should finish them before lunch.
On this holiday, “gatherings” (“brotherhood”) are organized to clarify relations between relatives and neighbors. If there are disagreements and disputes, then a solution must be found. It is necessary to forget quarrels and forgive hidden grievances. Mandatory conditions of the ritual are hugs and fraternization. Upon completion, a common table is set, to which everyone brings a dish.
People pray to Archangel Michael for healing from fever.
history of the holiday
In the 4th century, the Christian Arkhip built a temple in Khoneh (Colossae). He founded it near a spring in which his daughter was cured of muteness. Many people, including pagans, began to visit the church and healing spring. After getting rid of illnesses, non-believers accepted Christianity.
The idolaters did not like this situation, and they decided to destroy the church. The pagans connected two rivers into one and directed the flow towards the temple.
Christian Arkhip began to pray for the salvation of the church. God heard his words. Archangel Michael appeared near the temple. With a blow of his staff, he made a cleft in the mountain, and the water went into the ground. The idolaters fled in horror. This miracle saved the temple. In honor of this event, the holiday of St. Michael's Miracle was founded.
Signs and beliefs on Michael's miracle
If the day is warm, then autumn will be long.
If there is frost on the trees, then the winter will be snowy.
If the aspen leaf is laid upside down, then the winter will be warm, if on the contrary - cold.
Anyone who decides to work for Michael’s miracle will invite disaster.
On September 19, according to the church calendar, a big holiday is celebrated - St. Michael's Miracle. On this day, Orthodox people remember a miracle that happened many centuries ago - according to legend, back in the 4th century, Archangel Michael himself saved the church from destruction.
Archangel Michael is considered one of the most revered Christian saints. In popular traditions, he is represented as a protector of the disadvantaged and weak, and at the same time a strict judge: he escorts the souls of the dead to the kingdom of God and weighs their good and bad deeds on the scales.
Michael's Miracle, according to folk signs and beliefs, is a dangerous holiday - on this day it was strictly forbidden to work. Those who tried to work at Mikhailovo Miracle, as a rule, were faced with unpleasant surprises - even the simplest work goes wrong, machinery and equipment break down.
Traditionally in Rus', on this day they held feasts and parties, and visited each other. On the eve of the Michaelmas Miracle, housewives baked pies with filling from the new harvest, and men served beer and mead for this day.
history of the holiday
According to legend, not far from the city of Hierapolis, which was located in what is now Turkey, a deeply religious man built a temple in honor of the Archangel Michael. One day he saw in a dream that his daughter would be cured of muteness if she drank water from a spring that flowed nearby. He believed his vision, got his daughter drunk and she actually spoke. To thank the Lord, the father and his family were baptized in this spring and built a temple near it.
Many people came to the healing spring to be cured of their ailments. Among them there were many pagans who, after seeing the miracle of healing, converted to the Christian faith.
Feast of Michael's Miracle
Many idolaters did not like that the Christian faith, young at that time, was spreading so quickly, and they decided to destroy the temple along with the healing spring. To do this, the pagans decided to flood the valley where the church was located, connecting two nearby rivers into one.
The pious righteous Arkhip offered his prayers to protect the temple. His words were heard and the Archangel Michael appeared near the temple, who, with a blow of his staff, opened a wide cleft in the mountain and commanded the waters of the seething stream to rush into it. Thanks to such a miracle, the temple survived, and the idolaters fled in fear.
Recommended reading: Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Signs for the Mikhailovo Miracle on September 19
- You can’t work for Michael’s Miracle - God will punish you;
- Archangel Michael has come - wait for the first frosts;
- If the leaves on the top of the birch are still green, it is early winter;
- Archangel Michael grabbed the earth with frost;
- Blue clouds in the evening - a change in weather;
- Based on the fallen leaves, they predicted what the winter would be like: if the aspen leaves lie upside down, it means a cold and long winter, if the aspen leaves lie upside down, expect a warm winter, and if this way and that, the winter will be moderate.
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The editors of I WANT continue to publish interesting traditions of religious holidays. This time we have prepared information about the Orthodox holiday of St. Michael's Miracle and an answer to a common question about what not to do on St. Michael's Miracle. More on this later in the material.
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September 19 is the holiday of Michael's Miracle, one of the most important dates in. On this day, Orthodox people remember a miracle that happened many centuries ago. It is reported that back in the 4th century, Archangel Michael himself saved the church from destruction, which is why this day is considered special for Orthodox Christians.
We have previously published on, as well as the history of the Mikhailovo Miracle holiday. This time we have information about the bans on Michael's Miracle.
Feast of Michael's Miracle: what not to do
September 19 is the church holiday of St. Michael's Miracle, which is usually celebrated with special traditions. Rituals for Michael's Miracle were passed down from generation to generation. So, everyone knows that it is forbidden to work at Michael’s Miracle. Those who do start work, according to legend, are in for trouble. For example, tools may break. Therefore, it is better to devote this day to prayer, work on spirituality and fasting. Read on to learn about other prohibitions on Michael’s Miracle.
- On Michael's Miracle on September 19, we must avoid quarrels and conflicts and try to find a peaceful way to solve the problem. If a person was still angry with someone and tried to sort things out, this is a bad sign.
- On this holiday, churches light a common candle and serve a prayer service. Previously, they believed that Michael’s miracle could make any wish come true, so they asked for the most important things.
- On September 19, after eating, you cannot throw away leftovers from the table, but it is better to give them to those in need. If you help other people all day during the Michaelmas miracle on September 19, then many other signs lost their power.
In the church calendar, the date - September 19 - is a big holiday called St. Michael's Miracle. Believers on this day remember a miracle that happened many years ago
Archangels are the highest angels - creatures that are closest to the Creator of the world. Archangel Michael leads the host of Heavenly Forces. It is not for nothing that he is depicted on icons and frescoes with a fiery sword in his hands.
It was the Archangel Michael, according to the biblical Old Testament story, who stood at the gates leading to heaven. This fact is indicated by the halo above the head of the angelic leader, depicted by icon painters with floral ornaments.
In addition, the main archangel is a fierce enemy of the devil and evil spirits in general. There are many icons in which you can see Michael trampling the dragon, symbolizing the king of hell, with his feet and spear. In the Christian tradition, the angelic leader is also considered in the role of a judge weighing the souls of sinners at the Last Judgment.
If we touch on the etymology of the expression “Archangel Michael”, the following will become clear: the first word consists of two parts - “arch” (elder) and “angel” (messenger), the second literally means “who is like God.”
The name of the Archangel is of Jewish origin and its translation traditionally implies a question mark, indicating that no one is equal to the Creator.
However, if we turn to the domestic version of the decoding, we will get the opposite interpretation: Mikhail - “who is like El (or El).” "El" traditionally means "God" in Russian.
Thus, the translation of the name of the highest archangel “Who is like God” can be considered in this context as a statement - in this case it implies endowing the highest archangel with the powers of El, that is, the Lord.
The Archangel is mentioned repeatedly in the Holy Scriptures. Thus, on the pages of the Old Testament, Michael appears as “the great prince,” “one of the first princes.” There is an episode in the New Testament where the term “Archangel” is used directly in relation to the chief of the angels of God.
Around the 4th century, according to legend, Archangel Michael saved a Christian temple from destruction. This holiday, as it turned out, has quite a lot of names - Michaelmas Day, Michaelmas, Michaelmas, Michaelmas frosts, Michaelmas matinees, Michaelmas frosts, Michael the Archangel.
Archangel Michael is one of the Christian saints who is the most revered. Among the people, he is the protector of the poor and needy. He is also considered a formidable judge, since he sees off the souls of the dead and weighs their actions on the scales.
Traditions and customs at Michael's Miracle.
Popular wisdom says that Michael is an extremely vindictive and vindictive saint. People called this day a terrible holiday, because if you break traditions and show disrespect for St. Michael, then the punishment comes on the same day.
Elderly people know that it is strictly forbidden to work at Mikhailovo Miracle. Those who do not believe in this belief and go to work on this day will face unpleasant surprises - tools break, the work does not go well, and you can even get injured.
In Rus', there was a tradition of organizing fraternities and parties at Mikhailovo Miracle, and they certainly went to visit each other. Before the holiday itself, the women baked food from the new harvest, and the men prepared beer and mead.
In the beginning, festivities usually included meetings at which public, family and private issues were resolved. This was followed by a festive meal and merry festivities. At the same time, if anyone had any disputes or quarrels, they had to make peace.
Be sure to light a common candle together in church on this day and serve a prayer service. Already in church, our ancestors each asked for their own - some for happiness and peace in the family, some for prosperity, some for health. They believed that on this day any desires and dreams could come true.
After the festive meal, it was customary not to throw away the leftovers, but to give them to the hungry. In addition, our ancestors firmly believed that if on St. Michael’s miracle you help the poor and needy all day long, then many signs have no power, for example, you can do any work.
On this holiday it was not customary to argue and swear, and all matters had to be resolved peacefully, otherwise it would not be good. Therefore, at Michael’s Miracle they tried to make compromises.
If suddenly someone had a fever in the house on Michaelmas, then caring housewives tried more diligently on this holiday. After all, according to popular belief, if you perform certain rituals, the patient will be cured.
Thus, tobacco or the last of a foal was placed at the head of the person suffering from fever, water was given to drink, which was poured over the church bell, and a bag with discarded snake skin was hung around the neck.
History of the Mikhailovo Miracle holiday.
Legends say that not far from a city called Hierapolis, located on the territory of modern Turkey, there lived one believer named Arkhip.
One day the Lord sent him a dream, where he promised that his beloved daughter would be cured of muteness, but only if she tried the water from a source that was nearby. Soon his daughter took a sip of this healing water, after which a miracle followed - she was cured of this disease. In order to thank the Lord, this believer and his family were baptized in the spring and built a temple not far from it.
The healing spring was visited by a large number of people in order to cure various diseases. Many pagans came to the source and, after healing, converted to the Christian faith.
But there were people, the so-called idolaters, who were not delighted that a relatively new faith began to quickly gain recognition among people. They planned to destroy the temple and the adjacent source, which helps people get rid of hated diseases. The solution was found quickly.
Opponents of the Christian faith decided to flood the valley in which the church was located, bringing two rivers into one, flowing near the temple. But believer Arkhip offered prayers for the protection of the temple, and his words were heard.
Archangel Michael appeared near the temple and, with a blow of his staff, made a large cleft in the mountain. A stormy stream of water rushed there. This miracle saved the temple, and those who caused the disaster ran away in horror.
Arkhip lived in this temple for 60 years and during this time he was able to convert many pagans to the Christian faith.
Signs for Michael's Miracle:
*after the holiday you can expect the first frosts;
*if on Mikhailovo Miracle the leaves on the top of the birch are green, then this means early winter;
blue clouds in the evening - this means changes in the weather;
*and the most interesting thing is that from the fallen aspen leaves, one could tell what the winter would be like. If they fall face up, this means a frosty winter, if they fall inside up, expect a warm winter, but if both are the case, then the winter will be neither cold nor warm;
*if you saw frost on the trees at Michael’s Miracle, then in winter there will most likely be a lot of snow;
*they used to believe that it was on this holiday that any miracle could happen;
It was considered a bad omen to wash your hair on St. Michael’s Miracle, because otherwise you could “wash away your mind”;
*on Michael’s Miracle you could often ask any questions and they would answer you with the truth - after all, telling a lie on this holiday will have very bad consequences;
*our ancestors were afraid to pick blueberries on this day and believed that trouble would definitely follow. And children were always taught, saying “on St. Michael the Devil tramples blueberries;”
*a mild and warm winter was expected if there were
few cones;
*usually cold weather was expected after this holiday. According to legends, on this day winter begins to forge frosts;
*there was also a sign about what the weather would be like on St. Nicholas Day - if the weather is warm and clear on St. Michael’s Day, then December 19 will be the same, but if it’s cold or frosty, then on St. Nicholas Day you need to expect snow and frost. (Mikhail is paving bridges (Mikhailovsky early frosts), preparing the way for Nikola the winter).
The mystery of our salvation through the prayers of Archangel Michael.
Pray on the feast of Archangel Michael on September 19 (Miracle at Khoneh) and on November 21. his memory, i.e. on Michael's day, pray at 12 o'clock at night, for Archangel Michael, on his holidays, is at night on the shore of the valley of fire and lowers his right wing into fiery hell, which at this time goes out.
Pray during these nights and He will hear the prayer of the one asking, calling the deceased by name and asking Him to lead them out of hell. Remember your relatives, friends and loved ones, name them, adding their names (and relatives in the flesh up to the tribe of Adam).
Miracle of the Archangel Michael.
A sermon delivered by the worthily revered Timothy, Patriarch of Alexandria, on the feast of the Miracle of the Archangel Michael on September 19, proclaiming the great mercy bestowed on men by God:
“May the peace of God descend upon you, brothers. I will tell you what happened to me, Timothy, a servant of Jesus Christ. One day I went to the Holy Life-Giving Cross and the Holy Sepulcher and to all the holy places through which our Lord Jesus Christ passed. I went to the house of Saint Prochorus, the beloved disciple of the Evangelist John the Theologian. Here I found a book written by Prokhor. In this wonderful book I read the following great consolation of John the Theologian.
“Once I walked accompanied by an Angel of God, who revealed to me Heavenly secrets about people. And then I heard a noise like the noise of many waters falling from a great height. When the Angel and I came closer, I saw a huge lake and a terrible execution of unrepentant sinners. I asked my guide, and he explained to me what this fierce abyss was.
We saw a huge flame emanating from this underworld - with a cloud of huge smoke above it. The flame seethed and rose noisily to 300 meters in height. Vile worms, the size of vipers, crawled over the bodies of sinners in this abyssal lake. O John, friend of God, the torment that we have seen now is more terrible than all executions. This lake of fire can contain the whole world.
Its depth is endless: worms-snakes that gnaw the bodies of sinners, force them to rise upward. John wept bitterly over the destruction of human souls.
“Don’t cry, John, friend of God, don’t cry, soon you will see great joy - great favor with the Lord towards the Archangel of God Michael.”
At that time, I saw in wonderful beauty the Archangel Michael himself, who in a beautiful boat of Cherubim and Seraphim, accompanied by many Angels, saints, prophets and martyrs, was approaching the lake of fire. They were all clothed with indescribable beauty. Soon the Angels approached the sinners who were being condemned to execution. Immediately the fire went out, the abyss stopped smoking, the disgusting animals disappeared.
When everything calmed down, Archangel Michael plunged his snow-white wing into the lake - he brought out many human souls and carried them to the shore. Then he lowered the same right wing a second time - and brought even more souls out of the lake than the first time. Then the Cherubim and Seraphim prostrated themselves before him and began to ask him to submerge the wing - for the third time.
Archangel Michael directed his kindly pleading gaze to the Lord and offered up fervent heartfelt prayers for the salvation of those suffering for their sins. Then he again plunged the snow-white wing into the lake and brought out countless new souls.
Then the Angels and Saints, having received these souls with great joy, washed them with the water of Grace, anointed them with the fragrance of joy and placed them before the face of God.
At that hour a voice came from the curtain of the Lord:
“Through the intercession of Archangel Michael and My Mother, the Blessed Virgin, and all My Angels and the elect who fulfilled the will of My Father on earth, bring these souls into the Paradise of bliss, Eternity and peace. Amen". At this terrible and holy act, Saint John marveled at the compassion of Michael the Archangel.
The angel said: “Know to John, friend of God, that the miracle you saw is repeated annually on September 6/19, in honor of the feast of his leader of the Heavenly Host - for the great victory that he won over the forces of Satan.
When the Jews mercilessly nailed the Savior to the Cross, Michael the Archangel was in such grief that heaven and earth faded, unable to bear it. When our Lord Jesus Christ rose from the tomb, it was Michael the Archangel who rolled away the stone and brought good news to the myrrh-bearing women. He kept Satan in Gehenna and took away everything he had. God gave Archangel Michael great power and authority to save those who are in torment.
The Lord named him the ranks of the heavenly forces of the incorporeal and allows him annually on September 6/19 and November 9/21, accompanied by Angels and saints, to approach souls condemned to torment.
Archangel Michael helps to save those who gave alms in his name, as well as in the name of martyrs and saints. Archangel Michael intercedes for them, for the saints endured sorrow and suffering in the name of the Lord. He forever frees from execution those for whom sacrifices and prayers are made.
Archangel Michael does not cease to do God's mercy every year on September 6/19 and on his day on November 8/21 - which will continue until the end of time.
On these significant days, he falls, kneeling before the veil of God, prostrates himself and prays for souls in the terrible torments of hell until God deigns to have mercy on those people for whom they pray especially earnestly on earth, giving generous alms for them . He also prays for everyone living on earth. On his holy holidays, all the Angels gather around Archangel Michael at the curtain of God.
With the blessing of God, Archangel Michael approaches, clothed in robes of goodness and mercy, and announces to everyone that God has once again had mercy on the world. You have now seen, John, that everyone who does a work of mercy in the name of the Archangel Michael, or who takes the trouble to rewrite this book, where this description is found, will not be forgotten by God, and will read it to others.
Or who will light a candle or light a lamp, a lamp, or burn incense, or make some kind of honest offering in the name of Archangel Michael. He will not forget the benefactor, and will reward him piously.
If someone shows mercy to the poor according to his own means, and after death because of a sinful life is cast into hell, the Lord will not forget his goodness and, through the intercession of Archangel Michael, will save him.
If anyone wishes to write down these words, then what is written should be kept at home with reverence. Neither a bullet, nor a snake, nor any enemy force can harm this person or his home. Neither a worm, nor a locust, nor any reptile force can harm a garden or vegetable garden.
This list will serve as his weapon and shield in all troubles. For the power of these words is great and wonderful. May the Lord and Archangel Michael protect you.”
This is what the holy Angel of God told me.
Then he took me to the Mount of Olives, and then left me, flying up to Heaven. I was surprised a lot and glorified God and Archangel Michael.”
I found this story in the house of Prokhor, a disciple of John the Theologian.
Having heard this revelation of Christ’s beloved disciple and evangelist John the Theologian, we must not neglect it, without ceasing to excel in prayer, vigil and almsgiving in the name of Christ. Let us give alms in the name of the Archangel Michael - so that our departed and we sinners will escape eternal torment. May all who love and honor Archangel Michael find great mercy from God. Amen.
Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel:
Lord God the Great King, Beginningless! Send, O Lord, Thy Archangel Michael to the aid of Thy servant (name), take me away from my enemies, visible and invisible. Oh, Lord Michael the Archangel! destroyer of demons: forbid all enemies who fight with me, make them like sheep and crush them like dust before the wind. Oh, Lord the Great Archangel Michael! Six-winged first prince, commander of the heavenly powers Cherubim and Seraphim. Oh, beloved Archangel Michael, be my helper in all grievances, sorrows, sorrows; in deserts, at crossroads, on rivers and seas - a quiet refuge. Deliver me, Great Archangel Michael, from all the charms of the devil, when I hear my sinful servant (name) praying to you and calling on you and calling on your holy name: hasten to help me and hear my prayer. Oh, great Archangel Michael! The whole of the honest and life -giving heavenly cross of the Lord, the prayers of the Most Holy Theotokos and the Holy Apostles, the holy prophet of the God of Elijah, the Holy of Nicholas the Miracle Worker, the Holy of the Great Martyr Nikita and Eustathius, the Monk Father and the Holy of Saints and all the Holy Heavenly Heavenly Heads, . Amen.
Oh, Great Archangel Michael, help me, your sinful servant (name of the rivers), deliver me from the coward, the flood, the fire, the sword and the flattering enemy, from the storm, from the invasion and from the evil one. Deliver me, your servant (name), great Archangel Michael, always, now and ever, and forever and ever. Amen.
Holy Archangel of God Michael, if my relatives (names of the deceased...) are in the lake of fire, then lead them out of the eternal fire with your blessed wing and bring them to the Throne of God and beg our Lord Jesus Christ to forgive them their sins."
You can also pray for all your living loved ones (children, husband, wife, parents) daily, calling their baptismal names. It is advisable to do this every morning.
Whoever reads this prayer every day will not be touched by either the devil or an evil person, and his heart will not be tempted by flattery, and he will be delivered from hell.
This prayer was written on the porch of the Church of the Holy Archangel Michael in the Chudov Monastery, in the Kremlin on August 11, 1906.
They pray to Archangel Michael for protection from enemies, evil, and for the healing of mental and physical illnesses.
Remembering the miraculous victories and intercessions of St. Archangel Michael for Christians, for our Church and Fatherland, let us pray to him to protect us with the shelter of his wings and protect us from all evil.
Archangel of God Michael, pray to God for us!
Absolutely every year, without changing their date of celebration, it is on September 19 that all Orthodox Christians honor the Day of the Archangel Michael the Archangel. This day is popularly called St. Michael's miracle. During this wonderful period of time, many remember an incredible miracle, which in turn happened many centuries ago. It consisted directly in the fact that Archangel Michael saved the church from destruction.
Judging by folk signs, this holiday is truly quite dangerous. On September 19, it is strictly forbidden to carry out any work, as they believe that this will entail huge troubles. Previously, whoever did even the most basic work, everything simply falls out of hand, breaks and troubles occur. But it must be said that Archangel Michael is highly revered and is considered the protector of the disadvantaged and extremely weak.
The main and most important tradition of the holiday of honoring the miracle of St. Michael is the holding of very cheerful feasts. Previously, on the eve of September 19, each housewife baked incredibly delicious pies from the new harvest, and the men, in turn, served delicious beer and mead.
History of the holiday Michael's miracle
If legend is to judge, then quite close to the city of Hierapolis, which in turn was previously located on the territory of present-day Turkey, a truly religious man built an extraordinary temple. He erected it directly in honor of the Archangel Michael. Quite unexpectedly for himself, in a dream he saw an incredible dream, which foreshadowed his daughter’s healing from muteness if she drank water from a source, which in turn flowed absolutely nearby. He sincerely believed in his dream and made sure to give his daughter some magical water to drink. From amazement, he realized that the water helped his daughter, because she spoke.
In order to thank the Lord God, this man and his entire family were baptized in this source. And then he built a temple near it. A large number of people began to visit an incredible source of healing. And among these there were very many pagans who, after seeing incredible miracles, converted to the Christian faith.
And naturally, the idolaters did not like this state of affairs at all. And they planned to completely demolish the temple from the face of the earth, along with the extremely healing spring. The pagans planned to completely flood the valley, where the temple in turn was located. The righteous Arkhip, with prayers and requests for the protection of the temple, performed a miracle, because his words were heard and Archangel Michael appeared. With a powerful blow of his staff, he opened an extremely wide cleft in the mountain and the waters rushed into it in a rather seething stream.
Such an incredible miracle saved the temple from destruction, and the idolaters, in turn, simply ran away in incredible fear. This is the history of the St. Michael's miracle holiday
Conspiracy for September 19 - Michael's miracle
In order to protect your house or apartment from damage and all kinds of evil, it is on September 19th that a special conspiracy is read at Michael’s Miracle. You need to do the following: stand on the threshold of your home, directly on the threshold of the front door, hold a lit candle in your right hand and say the following words:
“Great Archangel Michael, help me, a sinner, your servant (name), deliver me from a coward, from a flood, from fire. Otherwise, from vain, arrogant death, and from all evil, from stormy storms and from the evil one. Rid my house of unclean deeds. Amen".
Afterwards, the candle must be completely extinguished and this ritual must be performed for two more days in a row. Such words of St. Michael's miracle spells will give you much more internal energy and incredible peace.
Life stories September 19
88-year-old Tatyana Pavlenkova from the village of Podoly, Kupyansky district in the Kharkov region on Mikhailovo Miracle does not advise doing anything: “Mikhail will do something.”
“They didn’t do anything at Michael’s Miracle, God forbid! - says 70-year-old Anna Lebedinskaya from the village of Petropavlovka, Kupyansky district in the Kharkov region. “My grandmother told me: they had a pair of oxen, and my grandfather said: “I’ll go and take out the hay.” And the woman said to him: “Don’t do it, because today is the Michaelmas Miracle.” “It will be a miracle when I take out the hay,” answered the grandfather. As soon as he harnessed the oxen and set off - hop! - The ox fell and died. Baba then: “Look, it’s a Miracle.” We never worked on this holiday again and we were forbidden.”
Those who do not believe in his power or mock him are punished instantly by Mikhail.
“Mikhailovo Miracle is a big and terrible holiday,” says Klavdiya Sadovskaya, 80 years old, from the same village. - This is such a holiday that if you sin, he will go and take revenge on the same day. Once my grandfather and I were riding a motorcycle, he didn’t believe in it and said: “What kind of Michael’s Miracle is this that I don’t know?” And I say: “Yes, this is the holiday of vengeance, Michael’s Miracle.” So we almost turned over on a motorcycle that same day and almost died. Well, then he already found out what kind of Michael’s Miracle it was. You can’t, you can’t do anything - he’ll take revenge instantly. He doesn't wait, he celebrates on the same day.
Saint Michael has a reputation for being treacherous, vindictive and capricious. In order not to offend him, during the Miracle of St. Michael the men did not chop with an ax, plan, saw or cut with a knife. Women did not spin or weave.
“This Mikhail is like that - he’ll do something,” says 88-year-old Tatyana Pavlenkova from the village of Podoli not far from Petropavlovka. “One of us here started to build, but at home he only has one ax and a hacksaw, and no other tools.” Just go to the collective farm workshop. And there the women, neighbors, say: “Mishka, you shouldn’t go to work - today is the Michaelmas Miracle.” - “Well, what if you need it? It’s construction.” I went and cut off my hand.
74-year-old Zinaida Zakopailo from the village of Podoli, Kupyansky district in the Kharkov region, says that during the Mikhailovo Miracle, her friend’s aunt was “crushed by a black disease” because on the holiday she undertook to whitewash the house
74-year-old Zinaida Zakopailo from the village of Podoli, Kupyansky district in the Kharkov region, says that during the Mikhailovo Miracle, her friend’s aunt was “crushed by a black disease” because on the holiday she undertook to whitewash the house.
Baba Tanya’s neighbor, Zinaida Zakopailo, 74, recalls how the saint punished her friend:
— My friend Raika had an old house. And the aunt at Mikhailovo Miracle whitewashed it around. Here is the veranda, and around the house - it’s called about. People walk and say: “Tanka! But today is Michael's Miracle! Why are you working!” And she: “I’ll whiten it, and let him laugh!” And the house was tall. How she fell from those goats, how the “black disease” began to beat her, and beat her until she crushed her.
Saint Michael loves to “play weird” on those who have forgotten about his holiday. 84-year-old Maria Sytnik from the village of Peschanaya in the Kupyan region heard from her mother about the saint’s evil jokes:
“Here’s one man who went to sow winter crops. People say to him: “Where are you going?” - "Where? Don’t you see - sow.” - “And today is the holiday of Michael’s Miracle.” - “It will be wonderful if I sow a field.” So he came to the field and began to remove the harrow. But he caught his head between the legs of the harrow so that he could take it on his shoulder and carry it to the field. So with the harrow the whole day passed in the field until the evening. It was then that I came to my senses. I put the harrow on the cart and came home. After that, I told the children not to do anything at Michael’s Miracle.
One of the important Orthodox church holidays of September is the Remembrance of the Miracle of the Archangel Michael, which is celebrated annually on September 19. According to the Holy Scriptures, Archangel Michael is the main fighter against the devil, heresy and evil, so he is often called the “prince” or “leader of the army of the Lord.” On almost all Orthodox icons, Archangel Michael is depicted with a long spear or a fiery sword, piercing demons and overthrowing the devil. Let's Let's see why the Orthodox holiday is celebrated on September 19 and what not to do on it.
On a note:"Angel" translated from Greek means "messenger". The Lord God communicates with people through angels, and the prefix “archi” means a higher position among other angels, therefore Archangel Michael in the Orthodox religion is one of the highest angels.
Why is September 19 a church holiday?
The history of the holiday Memories of the Miracle of the Archangel Michael goes back far into the past. It is known from holy scripture that Archangel Michael in the 4th century AD. came in a dream to the father of a girl who was mute from birth, and told him how to heal his daughter. The girl's father believed his vision and gave his daughter water from a spring flowing near the city of Hierapolis, after which she spoke. The father and other Christian believers, in gratitude, built a Temple near the source in honor of the Archangel Michael, in which they preached Christian commandments and teachings, which were not very popular among the pagans of that time. Thanks to the healing properties of the spring and the sermons of the clergy, the number of converts to the Christian faith grew every day. Therefore, opponents of Christianity decided to destroy the Temple of the Archangel Michael by flooding the valley in which the temple was located. According to legend, at the moment the valley was flooded, the Archangel Michael himself appeared and with a blow of his spear diverted the waters from the temple, and the haters of Christianity fled in fear.
What should you not do on September 19th? Signs
On the holiday of September 19, Orthodox Christians strictly adhere to and observe the customs associated with the veneration of the Archangel Michael, and also believe in the signs associated with this holiday, for example:
- The holiday of Michael's Miracle symbolizes the end of the harvest and the arrival of autumn
- On this day, our ancestors determined the weather forecast for the next year:
- if there are green leaves on the tops of birch trees, then winter will be early
- if there are blue clouds in the sky in the evening, then frost will come soon
- if there is frost on the trees in the morning, then winter will be snowy
- On this day you cannot do (strictly prohibited!) any work you wish
- It is recommended to spend this holiday either in prayer, or have a family holiday dinner, and also go to visit each other
- The holiday table must have pies filled with the new harvest.
On a note: It is believed that Archangel Michael not only helps the disadvantaged and the weak, but he also severely punishes various atrocities. According to holy scripture, it is Archangel Michael who accompanies the dead to the judgment of the Lord, where he weighs on the scales the good and bad deeds committed throughout their lives.