About this icon

The image of Archangel Michael portrays him ready to battle, with decorated armor and a sword in his right hand. This icon shows Saint Michael conquering Satan and standing over Satan and the underworlds. He holds his sword in victory salute to the Divine and he holds a soul in his left hand, together with the scales of justice.

As with all icons, we see that in "God, (the light), we live and move and have our very being" (Acts 17:28) NIV. This is indicated by the icon's gold background. In iconographic parlance, gold is not considered a color or pigment, but is likened to light itself. Since light is the very image of God's splendor, the radiance and luminosity of the icon reminds us of this core Christian belief.

Saint Michael: the Prince of Angels

Saint Michael is the archangel mentioned in the Book of Revelation 12:7; in the Old Testament. The name Michael signifies "Who is like to God?" and was the war-cry of the good angels in the battle fought in heaven against Satan and his followers. Holy Scripture describes Saint Michael as "one of the chief princes," and leader of the forces of heaven in their triumph over the powers of hell. He is called upon in perils, especially at sea and is considered champion of justice and righteousness.

Saint Michael has been especially honored and invoked as patron and protector by the Church from the time of the Apostles. Although he is always called "the Archangel," the Greek Fathers and many others place him over all the angels - as Prince of the Seraphim. Catholics refer to him as Saint Michael the Archangel and also simply as Saint Michael while Orthodox Christians refer to him as the Taxiarch Archangel Michael or simply Archangel Michael.

In late medieval Christianity, Michael together with St George became the patron of chivalry, and the patron of the first chivalric order of France, the Order of Saint Michael of 1469. In the British honors system, a chivalric order founded in 1818 is also named for these two saints, the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George.

Saint Michael is also considered in many Christian circles as the patron saint of the warrior. Police officers and soldiers, particularly paratroopers, regard him as their patron saint. He fights the rebel angels and the dragon of Revelations. He is patron saint of knights and of all trades allied to the production of weapons and scales.