Established in the 4th century by the regional Council of Laodicea (Canon 35), the Feast of the Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the Other Bodiless Powers is celebrated on November 8. November was selected because it is the ninth month counting from March (the traditional beginning of the ecclesiastical year), corresponding to the nine ranks of the celestial angelic hierarchy described by Dionysius the Areopagite (Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels). Archangel Michael is celebrated as the Archistrategos (Commander of the Heavenly Host) who stood against darkness, while Archangel Gabriel is the celestial messenger of joyful tidings.
Established in the 4th century by the regional Council of Laodicea (Canon 35), the Feast of the Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the Other Bodiless Powers is celebrated on November 8. November was selected because it is the ninth month counting from March (the traditional beginning of the ecclesiastical year), corresponding to the nine ranks of the celestial angelic hierarchy described by Dionysius the Areopagite (Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels). Archangel Michael is celebrated as the Archistrategos (Commander of the Heavenly Host) who stood against darkness, while Archangel Gabriel is the celestial messenger of joyful tidings.
