Michaelmas
Categories: feast-days
Date: 29 September 2006 02:35:55
Today is the feast of Michaelmas, the Feast of St Michael the Archangel, and the Archangels Gabriel and Raphael, in the Western churches [the Eastern Churches celebrate his feast day, together with that of the other archangels [Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Selaphiel, Jehudiel, Barachiel, and Jeremiel] on November 8.
Michael, whose name means "Who is like God?", is the leader of the hosts of the angelic beings. The cult of St Michael is believed to have begun in the Eastern Churches in the 4th century and had spread to Western Christianity by the 5th century. By the Middle Ages, Michael, and Michaelmas, had become very popular: around this time is the autumnal equinox for those in the northern hemisphere and the days begin to shorten and nights began to lengthen: with Michael as the protector against the dark forces he was often invoked.
A happy and blessed Feast Day to all!