The Feast of Saint Michael and All Angels, known also as Michaelmas or the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, Uriel and Raphael, is a Christian festival celebrated on September 29 according to the Western liturgical calendar. Of all the Heavenly hosts, it is Saint Michael the Archangel , the warrior, the protector, the defender of the Church , who holds the most prominent place in this feast. Below is a look at our hand carved olive wood Saint Michael statues from Bethlehem, the nine choirs of angels, and the key Bible verses that honor the great Archangel.

On this feast day we remember God's heavenly messengers and our place within the order of creation: we are not the summit of all things. There are higher beings than us , the angels. On this day we also contemplate the truth that demons are fallen, rebellious angels, and that the higher we stand, the lower we may fall. Let Michaelmas remind us to submit to God and grow more humble in our hearts.

Saint Michael Wooden Hand Carved Statue

This extraordinary olive wood carving from the Holy Land shines with God's justice and love. Saint Michael will always be the one who stood against injustice and the protector of those in need. Place this hand carved statue in your home, where true Christian ideals live, and feel his presence ever watching over your place of solace. For it is Saint Michael who first stood against Satan.

View our collection of hand carved olive wood angels:

The Nine Choirs of Angels

There are nine orders, or choirs, of angels. In ascending order they are: Angels, Archangels, Principalities, Powers, Virtues, Dominations, Thrones, Cherubim and Seraphim.

The Seraphim stand at the highest order, followed by the Cherubim. The lowest of the nine choirs are simply called Angels , God's messengers and the guardians of the human race, the mediators between God and man. The English word "angel" comes from the Greek angelos, which literally means messenger.

Each order is said to reveal the glory of God to the order beneath it. The Seraphim devote their existence to beholding the face of God, praising and contemplating Him for all eternity. The Cherubim are pictured as winged lions or winged bulls guarding the throne of God.

The Legend of the Blackberries

It is said that on Michaelmas the devil was expelled from Heaven, and when he fell from the skies he landed in a blackberry bush. The devil cursed the fruit, stamped on it, and spat upon it. Legend holds that Lucifer renews his curse on blackberries each year on this day, so gathering them after Michaelmas is considered bad luck.

"On Michaelmas Day the devil puts his foot on the blackberries."
(Irish proverb)

View our collection of Saint Michael hand crafted olive wood statuettes:

Saint Michael Olive Wood Hand Carved Sculpture

In Daniel 10:13, Gabriel says: "but the prince of the kingdom of Persia stood in my way for twenty one days, until finally Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me." As the guardian of the Church, Saint Michael is the great protector and guide for all on this earth. Bring home this hand carved statue as a reminder of his blessed gift of defeating Satan. Granting souls a chance to redeem themselves at the hour of passing, he is shown both merciful and just. This wooden carving from Bethlehem, with its remarkable curvature, will bring your home and your children much needed protection against evil.

Bible verses for Michaelmas

Revelation 12:7 to 8

Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.

Daniel 10:13

The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia.

Jude 1:9

But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, "The Lord rebuke you."

Psalm 91:11

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.

Daniel 12:1

At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book.

Daniel 12:1 to 13

At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above, and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.

1 Thessalonians 4:16

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

Revelation 12:7 to 9

Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

We at Bethlehem Handicrafts are proud to put the Holy Land in your hand by giving you the finest original Bethlehem olive wood carvings, crafted with care in the Holy Land.

Made by Christian Hands. Loved by Christian Hearts.

Read Now: Weekly Hand Carved Olive Wood Sale from Bethlehem Handicrafts

References

• justus.anglican.org/resources/bio/254.html
• catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm