Unusual icon of Archangel Michael

[Andreas Moran]

Yesterday, we went to the State Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts to see an exhibition of icons from private collections. An icon of Archangel Michael had a feature we've never seen before. The subject is the Miracle at Chonae. Where the Archangel usually holds a transparent orb, in this icon he holds a golden circle inside which is a blue-grey picture showing a hand holding a circular scene in which are shown numerous faces. The catalogue describes this as God's hand holding the souls of the righteous. This device is said to show Michael to be protector of souls when they leave the body, during their progress through the tollhouses and later at the last judgment. In these ways, Archangel Michael is our helper and intecessor before God. Funeral chapels of emperors were dedicated to Archangel Michael as a way of beseeching his help for the emperor's soul.

[Nina]

Yes and there is a village in Greece where the tradition is that when they dream of Holy Archangel Michael they prepare to depart, I have heard. Also most of the cemetery churches I have seen were dedicated to Archangel Michael.

I remember playing as a child in communism by Archangel's church where my paternal grandfather was buried. I found a wooden cross (as big as the palm of an adult hand) outside the walls (since we couldn't go inside) and it was the very first time I saw a cross! I looked at it for some minutes and then placed inside the grounds over the wall. I wish I had kept it... I do not know its fate :( but on the other side maybe someone else got it who could protect it since I was a kid anyway.

That connects me very much to the Archangel and I love him very much also for the words we have in Liturgy... It is sooo moving!

[Ryan]

Can anyone tell me what the angel's transparent orb signifies? I've always wondered what it is and if it corresponds to any tangible earthly object.

[Nina]

Can anyone tell me what the angel's transparent orb signifies? I've always wondered what it is and if it corresponds to any tangible earthly object.

Here (http://www.monachos.net/forum/showthread.php?t=2093)is a thread from monachos. Yay we do not need google anymore. All things are here. :)