All the ranks of the Heavenly Powers are called angels. Each has its own name and position through the virtue of their service. The Lord reveals His will to the highest ranks of the angels, and they in turn inform the others.
The six-winged Seraphim (Is. 6:2) stand closest of all to the Most Holy Trinity. They blaze with love for God and kindle such love in others.
The many-eyed Cherubim (Gen 3:24) stand before the Lord after the Seraphim. They are radiant with the light of knowledge of God and knowledge of the mysteries of God. Through them, wisdom is poured forth and people’s minds are enlightened so that they may know God and behold His glory.
The Thrones (Col. 1:16) stand after the Cherubim, mysteriously and incomprehensibly bearing God through the Grace given them for their service. They are ministers of God’s justice, giving to tribunals, kings, and others the capacity for righteous judgment.
Dominions (Col. 1:16) hold sway over the angels subject to them. They instruct the earthly authorities, established by God, to rule wisely and to govern their lands well. The Dominions teach us to subdue sinful impulses, to subject the flesh to the spirit, to master our will, and to conquer temptation.
Powers (1 Peter 3:22) fulfill the will of God without hesitation. They work great miracles and give the Grace of wonderworking and clairvoyance to saints pleasing to God. The Powers assist people in fulfilling obediences. They also encourage them to be patient and give them spiritual strength and fortitude.
Authorities (1 Peter 3:22, Col. 1:16) have power over the devil. They protect people from demonic temptations and prevent demons from harming people as they would wish. They also uphold ascetics and guard them, helping people in the struggle with evil thoughts.
Principalities (Col. 1:16) have command over the lower angels, instructing them in fulfilling God’s commands. They watch over the world and protect lands, nations, and peoples. Principalities instruct people to render proper honor to those in authority, as befits their station. They teach those in authority to use their position, not for glory and gain, but to honor God, and to spread word of Him, for benefit of those under them.
Archangels (1 Thess. 4:16) are messengers of great and wondrous tidings. These angels we know by their names: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Selaphiel, Jehudiel, Barachiel, and Jeremiel. They reveal prophecies and mysteries of the faith. Archangels enlighten people to know and understand the will of God. They spread faith in God among the people, illuminating their minds with the light of the Holy Gospel.
Angels (1 Peter 3:22) are the lowest rank of the heavenly hierarchy and closest to people. They reveal the lesser mysteries of God and His intention, guiding people to a virtuous and holy life. Angels support those who remain steadfast, and they raise up the fallen. They never abandon us, and they are always prepared to help us, if we desire it.
Over all the Nine Ranks, the Lord appointed the Holy Archangel Michael (in Hebrew, his name means “who is like unto God”), the faithful servitor of God, as Chief Commander. He cast down from Heaven the arrogantly proud Lucifer and the other fallen spirits when they rebelled against God. Michael summoned the ranks of angels and cried out, “Let us attend! Let us stand aright before our Creator and do not consider doing what is displeasing unto God!”
According to Church Tradition and in church services to the Archangel Michael, he participated in many other Old Testament events. He went before the Israelites in the form of a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night during their Exodus from Egypt. Through him the power of the Lord was made manifest, annihilating Pharaoh and the Egyptians who were pursuing the Israelites. He protected the three youths who were thrown into the fiery furnace (Dan. 3:46–50) and has been noted in several other significant events of the Bible.
There are also many notable events throughout history where the Holy Archangel Michael showed his power to save or guide people. Upon several occasions, he led the Heavenly Host in appearances where the Most Holy Queen of Heaven interceded for the Russian people.
At the beginning of the fourth century, at the Council of Laodicea, which met several years before the First Ecumenical Council, the Synaxis of the Chief of the Heavenly Hosts, Archangel Michael and the Other Heavenly Powers was established. The 35th Canon of the Council of Laodicea condemned and denounced as heretical the worship of angels as gods and rulers of the world but affirmed their proper veneration.
The Feast Day was established in November, the ninth month after March (with which the year began in ancient times) since there are Nine Ranks of Angels. The eighth day of the month was chosen for the Synaxis of all the Bodiless Powers of Heaven since the Day of the Dread Last Judgment is called the Eighth Day by the Holy Fathers. After the end of this age (characterized by its seven days of Creation) will come the Eighth Day, and then “the Son of Man shall come in His Glory and all the holy Angels with Him.” (Mt. 25:31)
Source: goarch.org
