Feast of the Archangel Saint Michael
November 19, 2021
The festival of the honored Saint Michael the Archangel, the head of the hosts of heaven, the Angel who is merciful to the children of men, who stand at all times before the great throne of God speaking on behalf of the children of man is celebrated on November 21. Joshua the son of Nun saw him in great glory like unto that of a general of the king’s army, and he was frightened at him and fell down and made obeisance unto him, and said unto him, “O my lord, art thou on our side or on the side of the enemy?” Saint Michael said to him, “I am the tenth of the Chiefs of the mighty armies of heaven, and this day I will give Amalek into thy hand, and I will make thee king in the city of Jericho.” Saint angel, it was who was with all the Saints and martyrs, and he made them strong and enabled them to endure patiently until they finished their strife, [and it is meet] that festivals of commemoration should be held, and gifts offered in his name on the twelfth day of each month, for he beseech God for the fruits of the earth, and the descent of the rains, and the [flooding of the] rivers, and for good souls so that God may make perfect all of them in integrity.
Now, there was a certain God-fearing man whose name was Dorotheus, and [he had a] wife whose name was Theopista, and they were wont to make festivals of commemoration for the honored angel Michael. All the money of these righteous folk came to an end, and they had nothing wherewith to celebrate the commemoration of the honored Michael. Because they were exceedingly sorrowful about this they took their apparel to sell so that they might make a feast. Saint Michael the archangel appeared unto Dorotheus and commanded him to go to a sheep-master and to take from him a sheep worth one-third of a dinar. He was also to go to a fisherman and to take from him a fish worth one-third of a dinar, and he was not to slit the belly thereof except inside the house. He was also to go to a flour merchant, and to take from him as much flour as he wanted. The angel said, “Do this, and do not sell thy raiment”; and Dorotheus did as the angel commanded him. He summoned all the people according to his custom, and he made a feast in honor of the Archangel Michael.
When he had gone into his store-chamber to see if, peradventure, he could find a jar of wine for the Offering, he found the interior of his chamber filled with wine, and much flour; and Dorotheus was frightened and he marveled exceedingly. When he had ministered unto all the company, and they had finished the feast, and all the people had departed to their houses, the honored angel appeared unto the blessed Dorotheus in the garb wherein he had appeared unto him before, and commanded him to cut open the belly of the fish. When he had cut open the belly of the fish he found therein three hundred dinars of gold, and three third parts of a dinar. The Archangel Michael said unto Dorotheus and his wife, “Set aside these three third parts of a dinar for the sheep, the fish, and the flour, and these three hundred dinars shall be for your own needs. God hath remembered you and the alms and oblations which ye have been wont to make, and hath rewarded you for the same here in this world, and at the last day He will make you to inherit the kingdom of heaven.” As they were frightened at this matter he said unto them, “I am Michael the archangel who hath delivered you from all your tribulation, and it is I who have loved your alms and oblations, and have taken them up to God.
Henceforward ye shall lack no good thing whatsoever in this world.”They prostrated themselves before him, and he disappeared and went up into heaven. The angel Michael worked so many miracles that they are innumerable. O merciful Angel Michael whom I have feared from my youth up; hide me under thy prayers at dawn and at eve.
Source: The Ethiopian Synxarium pages 134-135