In the beginning, the Archangel Michael was second in rank of the heavenly hierarchy only to Archangel Heylel (also called Lucifer) which means “day star, son of dawn.” Lucifer was given the privileged position of being the most exalted and powerful creature of God… the chief commander of the heavenly hosts. Unfortunately, Lucifer did not wish to subordinate himself to God. He dreamed of becoming equal to God and lured away part of the angels to follow him in his struggle against God. When Lucifer’s prideful rebellion took place, the Lord’s divine providence allowed the angels who remained loyal to Him, led by the Archangel Michael, to engage in combat with Lucifer. Going into battle at the head of the bright angels, Michael cried out: “Who else but God?” - thereby denouncing proud Lucifer and all the godless of the future. The holy angels of God vanquished the dark forces of the first rebels. Lucifer, together with the other rebel angels, fell like lightning into the netherworld. From that time on Lucifer became the father of all those fighters for equality with God, enemies who actually fight against God. Thus, the brightest angel became the blackest devil. No longer worthy to be called Heylel/Lucifer, he became Satan, “keeper of hell,” and his rebellious angelic followers became demons, “fallen angels/inhabitants of hell.”

Archangel Michael was the greatest of the angels who chose to remain in humble obedience and worship of God alone. Therefore, from that time on, Michael became the head of the entire heavenly host. Because of his zeal in working for God he is honored by the Church even to this day. If Lucifer had not fallen, the Church would probably have established a feast in his honor, as it did for Michael.

The prophet Daniel calls Archangel Michael the guardian of the Jewish people (Daniel 12:1). But after the hard-hearted Jews condemned themselves by putting their Savior and Redeemer to death, thus losing their status as the chosen people, the Archangel Michael became, according to universal Christian belief, the guardian and defender of Christ’s Church. For this reason many Church Fathers believe that the Archangels Michael and Gabriel were the two angels who appeared to the myrrh-bearing women and brought them glad tidings of Christ’s Resurrection. We can also see the two supreme archangels in many New Testament appearances.

On the day of the Last Judgment it will, of course, be the Archangel Michael who will lead the heavenly host that will come down with Christ. Therefore, this archangel is always depicted in icons in a militant manner, with a sword or spear in his hand. Sometimes the top of the spear is crowned with a white banner bearing the sign of the cross. The white banner represents the archangel’s eternal purity and unshakeable loyalty to the Heavenly King, while the cross indicates that the battle with the kingdom of darkness and victory over it are achieved only with the help of Christ’s Cross.

References to Michael:
- Daniel, Jude, Revelation, Enoch