Archangel Gabriel

Information Pictures and Links regarding Archangel Gabriel

Archangel Gabriel has a remarkable position as one of the few cultural figures who plays an important role in more than one major religion. He is refered to in the Old Testament as appearing to Daniel. In Christian tradition he appears to the Virgin and to Zachariah. In Islamic tradition he is renowned for dictating the Holy Koran to the Prophet Mohammed.

The frequent references to Gabrial in literature and Art mean more than any other Gabriel defines most people's idea of what an angel is. In particular the potent image of Angel Gabriel announcing the impending birth of the Messiah to Mary has inspired generations of artists in the process creating one of the most iconic images of Western culture.

This blog collects together a collection of links and information about the references to Archagel Gabriel through the centuries.

Monday, July 26, 2004

EULOGY OF THE INCORPOREAL MIHAIL AND GABRIEL

found at: www.soros.org.mk
 

EULOGY OF THE INCORPOREAL MIHAIL AND GABRIEL

COMPOSED BY CLIMENT THE BISHOP

Holiday lovers, the holy flash of incorporeal forces surpass reason and mind and warm the World with rays ever so bright. That is not corporeal nature, but unsensitive nature that shines with the rays of reason from the divinity itself. Around the throne of God they gather flickering their wings and hiding their faces singing holy songs to God: "The world, world, world, God Allmighty, is full with your glory!"

Happily deceased with divine light, ones are called to the thrones where the strength and power of the holy trinity lies, while others become cherubs and seraphs, six-winged and four-rayed, with many eyes, friends of strength and power, and friends of the lordship. Others are angels and archangels, numerous army, each in its row leading forward in their order. They always represent the glory of God, while others are sent to secular posts; some for punishment and revenge, others to trace the path of believers to salvation and joy, as He did long ago when He showed Moses in Mount Sinai the divine blackberry that flickered in flames but never burnt out. That same Moses saw a shadow in the Mount made by an angel cherub by throwing shodow on both sides of the altar and appeared before him while he was praying to God and uttering: "Lord, if I am in grace then show yourself to me clearly so that I can see you and know that I am in grace". God answered: "All right, I will fulfill your wish. You have found grace in me". And Moses said: "Show me, my Lord, your glory so that I can see that I have found grace in you". God answered: "You cannot see my image because humans cannot see my image and remain alive. But, stand next to this stone and I will cover it with my hand when passing by so that you can see my back, but you will not be able to see my face". And them when Moses saw the back of God's glory, his face became bright from the sunlight. He covered his face with a rag and that was how he talked to the people because they could not look at his face because of the light. Thus, prophet Isaiah, whose word was heard all over said: "I saw God on a throne high, and seraphs stood around Him, each with six wings, and they all sang holy songs saying: "World, world, world, God Allmighty, let all the Earth feel His glory". Then, the same Isaiah said: "When Ezekiel was sick, the Jewish czar, the Assyrian czar went against him. He wanted to takeover the city. The czar was sad because of the war that was threatening and he prayed to God saying: "Remember, Lord, I went in front of You with the truth and with a calm heart and I committed good deeds in Your name". God answered him: "Do not fear, he will not enter your city, neither will he throw one arrow or spear because I will protect and save the city for myself, for David, my servant". And so the angel of God came down and killed 185 000 men from the Assyrian army and in the morning when they woke up they found them dead.

Such is the power of those incorporeal divine servants. They have the great archstratig Mihail for their commander who is in charge of the incorporeal forces. One angel was in charge of creation and supervisor of order and he was neither cunning nor evil, but gentle when created by God. And thus full with gentleness, he changed from gentle into evil and thought that he could confront his Creator and God. But, archstratig Mihail could not stand his violence and severeness and threw him on Earth together with his incorporeal titles and the leftsovers that he called angels. He became their commander and because he was evil he was deprived from God's light. They became suseptible to curses and were transformed into rageful angels of beauty tormented for times to come. Evil cannot mix with divine gentleness, as evangelist John said in his prophecy: "War began in heavan and archangel Mihail and all his troops fought the dragon and stripped off his title". So said Judas, the holy apostle, Jacob's brother. He said that the great archangel Mihail, when he was fighting the evil, was forbidden to utter blasphemy judgement against him, but he said: "Let God forbid that, you trash!"

All with a title belonging to a legion feasting with holiness and divine beauty and with desire and willingness to keep their legion with gentleness where each of them have been given a different gift should have such a zeal towards God and their Maker. God gave all wonders and welfare to human beings with the great archstratigs. For ones it means victory over the competitiors, for others gentle news about the joys of the Earth.

Appraisals cannot be uttered by words, neither can reason express them with dignity. But, inspite of all limitations, as much as we can achieve, sending them our hopes, let us all reflect their unexpressed grace and their struggle against all harms. With these archstratigs God filled the heavans with miracles and decorated the Earth with wanders. They take care of the heavanly army, each in its order, preserving the four ends of the Earth, the horisons of the seas, on God's command, without spilling over the edges, human's nature remains untouched by all the passions, the rage disappears from the banished destroying the illusion of the idols from the roots and decorating the church splendidly when sending holy harmoniuos songs to God. They got rid of all heretics and true faith started to flourish by wedding true confessioners. They can get rid of all harms and cure all sicknesses.

We bow to them unanimously and joyfully and appraise them in our songs singing: "Rejoice, archstratig Mihail, you are the first commander by order of the incorporeal forces, rejoice, archstratig Gabriel, the first informer of joyful news, rejoice, archstratig Mihail, the first scipterbearer of the indivisible Trinity, rejoice, archstratig Gabriel, the true servant of eternal trinity light, rejoice, archstratig Mihail, illuminated with the rays of eternal brightness that throws light over the whole world, rejoice, oh, Gabriel, for making the universe joyful and for wedding Zaharie's old age with the gentle news of John the Baptist and for making sterile nature fertile, rejoice, archstratig Mihail, for winning the master of darkness for which you stand with dignity next to the throne of God, rejoice, archstratig Gabriel, the bringer of news about God's corpeal being, rejoice, arhstratig Mihail, for being under the eternal light of the divinity of the sun, rejoice, archstratig Gabriel, for the eternal word of the light of the Father, holy news-bringer, your voice was heard all over the Earth, and your news brought joy to the pure and innocent Mother of God who concieved without semen but just with God's ray.

Rejoice, all you passionate fighters of all who found refuge under your roof because by guiding the mortals with your faith you took them through hell and demolished the tombstones informing the bringers of peace about the joy of resurection. When you won the forces of hell in the graves you called out: "Open the door, dukes, to let the Emperor of Glory in!", and they were frozen with fear and falling down as dead they said: "Who is that Emperor of Glory?" Again the incorporeal archtratigs with incorporeal forces answered: "God virtuous and strong, God strong in combat - he is the Emperor of glory".

Everywhere in the commission of God, enemies emerged with the speed of lightning. Those were defeated, and the loyal were rejoicing. When you appeared on the grave, you honoured the disciples of your God. One sat next to the heard, the other next to the feet where the body of Jesus Christ laid and you said: "Why are looking for the living among the dead, he's not here, he got up as it was written". And when God ascended the sky, standing in front of the apostles you said: "Why are you standing and staring in the sky? Jesus who ascended the sky will be back again the way you saw him going in the sky!" That is how one should honour God, our Maker.

The whole universe is lit by them, the image of a prophet is filled with spiritual grace and fulfills the prophecy. The patriarchs and all just people are wedded with them, they enable the apostle images to send holy songs to God, with them the many martyrs with beautiful wreaths are immensely happy.

With them the inhabitants of the deserts, with nearly dead passion for life, ended their lives, with them the graves will open at the last day and the dead bodies will raise alive from the holy voice. The devil himself with all his rages will be tied and thrown into eternal pain by them and the compassionate God will save us. So, glory be to Him, to his eternal Father and to his Gentle Ghost, now and forever more, amen.

link: http://www.soros.org.mk/konkurs/038/drevni/pohvalno_slovo.htm

Purpose of Angels

found at: www.scancoo.com/sqs_Angels2





text found at: www.wordiq.com

The Purpose of Angels

In the Bible, angels are the medium of God's power; they exist to execute God's will. Angels reveal themselves to individuals as well as to the whole nation, in order to announce events, either good or bad, affecting them. Angels foretold to Abraham the birth of Isaac, to Manoah the birth of Samson, and to Abraham the destruction of Sodom. Guardian angels were mentioned, but not, as was later the case, as guardian spirits of individuals and nations. God sent an angel to protect the Hebrew people after their exodus from Egypt, to lead them to the promised land, and to destroy the hostile tribes in their way (Ex. xxiii. 20, Num. xx. 16).

In Judges (ii. 1) an angel of the Lord—unless here and in the preceding instances (compare Isa. xlii. 19, Ḥag. i. 13, Mal. iii. 1) a human messenger of God is meant—addressed the whole people, swearing to bring them to the promised land. An angel brought Elijah meat and drink (I Kings, xix. 5); and as God watched over Jacob, so is every pious person protected by an angel who cares for him in all his ways (Ps. xxxiv. 7, xci. 11). There are angels militant, one of whom smites in one night the whole Assyrian army of 185,000 men (II Kings, xix. 35); messengers go forth from God "in ships to make the careless Ethiopians afraid" (Ezek. xxx. 9); the enemy is scattered before the angel like chaff (Ps. xxxv. 5, 6).

Avenging angels are mentioned, such as the one in II Sam. xxiv. 15, who annihilates thousands. It would seem that the pestilence was personified, and that the "evil angels" mentioned in Ps. lxxviii. 49 are to be regarded as personifications of this kind. "Evil" is here to be taken in the causative sense, as "producing evil"; for, as stated above, angels are generally considered to be by nature beneficent to man. They glorify God, whence the term "glorifying angels" (Ps. xxix. 1, ciii. 20, cxlviii. 2; compare Isa. vi. 2 et seq.).

They constitute God's court, sitting in council with him (I Kings, xxii. 19; Job, i. 6, ii. 1); hence they are called His "council of the holy ones" (Ps. lxxxix. 7, R. V.; A. V. "assembly of the saints"). They accompany God as His attendants when He appears to man (Deut. xxxiii. 2; Job, xxxviii. 7). This conception was developed after the Exile; and in Zechariah angels of various shapes are delegated "to walk to and fro through the earth" in order to find out and report what happens (Zech. vi. 7).

In the prophetic books angels appear as representatives of the prophetic spirit, and bring to the prophets God's word. Thus the prophet Haggai was called God's messenger (angel); and it is known that "Malachi" is not a real name, but means "messenger" or "angel." It is noteworthy that in I Kings, xiii. 18, an angel brought the divine word to the prophet.

In some places it is inferred that angels existed before the Creation (Gen. i. 26; Job, xxxviii. 7). The earlier Biblical writings did not speculate about them; simply regarding them, in their relations to man, as God's agents. Consequently, they did not individualize or denominate them; and in Judges, xiii. 18, and Gen. xxxii. 30, the angels, when questioned, refuse to give their names. In Daniel, however, there occur the names Michael and Gabriel. Michael is Israel's representative in heaven, where other nations—the Persians, for instance—were also represented by angelic princes. More than three hundred years before the Book of Daniel was written, Zechariah graded the angels according to their rank, but did not name them. The notion of the seven eyes (Zech. iii. 9, iv. 10) may have been affected by the representation of the seven archangels and also possibly by the seven amshaspands of Zoroastrianism (compare Ezek. ix. 2).

link: www.wordiq.com/definition/Angel#Appearance_of_Angels

Icon Gallery - Ohrid

 


11th century. Revetment between 1108 - 1120.
Together with the icon " Mother of God", make up the composition "Annunciation"111.5 x 67 cm. Tempera on board. Revetment of gilded silver. From the church of the Mother of God Peribleptos (St. Clement’s) Ohrid. Today - Icon Gallery, Ohrid.

Iconography: The basis of the synopsis has the text of Luke the Evangelist (Luke 1:26-38). The composition "Annunciation" is made of two distinctive panels-icons. On the first is portrayed Archangel Gabriel in full length and in movement, indicated through the slightly lifted right foot and lifted arm, with which the Archangel is blessing.

The Mother of God on the monumental composition is portrayed seated on a low throne without a back. She holds a purple knot in her left hand and a spindle in her right. With her head slightly bowed she reveals the relationship with Archangel Gabriel, who tells her the good news.

Origin: It is not known to which church or religious institution these icons belonged. Their dimensions indicate a large building where they may have been placed on the iconostasis. In the 11th century in Ohrid such buildings were the church St. Sophia or the archiepiscopal residence.

link: http://www.soros.org.mk/konkurs/019/eng/i02.htm

Monday, July 19, 2004

Angelic Orders - Gabriel

found at: daskalos.org

The Archangelic Orders

"Angels transcend every religion, every philosophy, every creed. In fact angels have no religion as we know it... their existence precedes every religious system that has ever existed on earth."
St. Thomas Aquinas

gabriels.jpg (5009 bytes)GABRIEL, or in the ancient Egyptian language pronunciation, Kha-Vir-El, Ga or Ka denotes desire, sentiment, and expressed love. Bir or Vir indicates element. Gabriel's �light is sky-blue in many different shades, and he is the ruler of water and the liquids. Gabriel is the steward of the entire physical kingdom and gives us the body's various fluids.� Color - shades of brilliantly azureOur Archangels are logoic and Holy Spiritual Beings, who build, govern over and project themselves into the universes. Within Absolute Beingness are Orders of Archangels, Holy Monadic Beings, each Order containing myriad upon myriad of Beings of the same kind. We know of the existence of twelve Archangelic Orders: Thrones, Authorities, Dominions Principalities, Overlords, Seraphims and Cherabims together with other named and unnamed. They possess Total Wisdom, Love, Power and Absolute Self-awareness. Angels are elementals of Archangels.

Archangel Gabriel and Angels

No one has ever spoken in detail of the kind of vibrations of the Archangels who belong to the higher echelons of the Orders. Few have come close enough to these Orders to attune to them. Human language, in any case, proves inadequate to describe their splendor.

When a human being descends into the worlds of separation, an Archangel of the Thrones accompanies him as his Guardian Archangel. Even if we are unaware of his presence, our Guardian Archangel, with whom we are egofied, is always caring for us.




Link: http://daskalos.org/Archangels_Angels.htm#GABRIEL

Tuesday, July 13, 2004

The Initial R with the Annunciation

 
 
The Initial R
with the Annunciation
from a German Gradual
ca. 1300
Probably made at the convent of Sankt Katharinenthal, Lake Constance
Tempera and gold leaf on parchment; 4 x 3 1/16 in. (10.2 x 7.8 cm)
 
 
 
link:



www.godsnewreligion.com

The 7 Archangels

 
 
 

t. Gabriel; name means "God Conquers/ the might of God" Patron of the sacrament of Baptism, Archangel of the Annunciation and the Incarnation's triumph over sin & death, his lilies represent the new purity of the soul through Baptism, his banner, Our Lady's universal motherhood.

Heavenly Father, through the salutation of the Archangel Gabriel, may we honor the Incarnation of Your Divine Son. Through his faithful intercessions may we strive always to imitate the holy virtues of the Mother of our Savior and respond to our Father, "Be it done unto me according to Thy Word". Archangel Gabriel, please praise our Father for the gift of His Son, praying, one day by His grace, through His Mother, we may all be one fold, one Church, one Shepherd. Amen  - adapted from the chaplet of St. Gabriel

St. Gabriel in the 7 Archangels Catholic Church in Bavaria

Oh holy St. Gabriel come to our aid with your legion of angels! Help us to become good servants of Our Lord! Help us to regain and preserve our Baptismal purity that we may become His worthy servants. Through your intercessions help our souls become havens of peace where Our Lord and Our Lady love to come and rest. Amen.

St. Gabriel the Archangel

Link: http://www.the7archangel s.com/st_gabriel.htm

Greek Cypriot Archangel Gabriel

Archangel Gabriel at the Antiphonitis Greek Orthodox Church before the destruction by Turkish antiquities smugglers.
 
 

Saint Gabriel's Episcopal Chuch

The Angel Gabriel

 According to the Bible, there are seven archangels who "stand in the presence of God". (Tobit 12:15). Four of these are named at various places in the Bible or Apocrypha- Michael, Uriel, Raphael, and Gabriel. Gabriel first appears in the book of Daniel when he explains to Daniel the vision of the ram and the he-goat and the prophecy of the Seventy Weeks.

In the book of Revelation, the seven angels in turn blow their trumpets. When the last trumpet sounds, Voices from heaven proclaim;" The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ- And he shall reign for ever and ever." Although not directly stated in the Bible, according to legend it is Gabriel's trumpet that will announce the end of time.


 

Gabriel is best known as the angel of the ANNUNCIATION. It was Gabriel who announced to Elizabeth that she is to give birth to John the Baptist (Luke 1:19), and who tells the Virgin Mary that she is to be the mother of the Messiah (Luke 1:26).

The Annunciation is one of the most commonly depicted scenes in Western Christian Art. Gabriel is usually shown kneeling before the Virgin, holding a lily (signifying purity) in his hand. Often there is in the background a walled garden or other enclosure signifying virginity. The Holy Spirit may be seen in the form of a dove.

 

Friday, July 09, 2004

Archangels

found at: http://www.christthesaviour.org

Orthodox Christian Church Of Christ The Saviour

The Archangel Michael

The Holy Archangel Michael
and all the Bodiless Powers
of Heaven (November 8)

The angels of God have been commemorated by men from the earliest times, but this commemoration often degenerates into the divinization of angels (IV Kings 23:5; A.V. II Kings). Heretics always wove fantasies round the angels. Some of them saw the angels as gods and others, if they did not so regard them, took them to be the creators of the whole visible world. The local Council in Laodicea, that was held in the fourth century, rejected in its 35th Canon the worship of angels as gods, and established the proper veneration of them. In the time of Pope Sylvester of Rome and the Alexandrian Patriarch Alexander, in the fourth century, this Feast of the Archangel Michael and the other heavenly powers was instituted, to be celebrated in November. Why in November? Because November is the ninth month after March, and it is thought that the world was created in the month of March. The ninth month after March was chosen because of the nine orders of angels that were the first created beings. St Dionysius the Areopagite, writes of these nine orders in his book, "Celestial Hierarchies." These orders are as follows: six‑winged Seraphim, many‑eyed Cherubim, godly Thrones, Dominions, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Archangels and Angels.

In Mother Alexandra's book, "The Holy Angels," these nine orders are further divided into three hierarchies. The third level includes Michael with the Principalities, Archangels, and Angels. Their special domain is the earth. they execute God's will, are continuous guardians of the children of men, and messengers of God. The holy angels are "more than the bearers of divine messages and the guides of men: they are bearers of the very Name and Power of God . they are flashes of the light and strength of the Almighty Lord."

The leader of the whole angelic army is the Archangel Michael. He is mentioned by name four times in Scripture: twice in Dan (10:13 ff. and 12:1), where he is represented a the helper of the Chosen People, once in Jude (v.9), disputing with the devil over the body of Moses, and once in Rev. (12:7-9), fighting the dragon. In Joshua 5:13-15, a "man" with a drawn sword in his hand appeared before Joshua, identifying himself as the "commander of the army of the Lord."

By tradition, the Archangel Michael also represents the "cherubs and the fiery sword that turns about to keep the way of the tree of life" from Adam and Eve after God had expelled them from the "Garden of Delight" (Gen. 3:25. Since the sanctuary represents the Kingdom of Life, the movement from the sanctuary is always out through this door, while the door with the Archangel Gabriel represents our return to Paradise, because he announced to the Virgin the Good News that Immanuel was to come: God with us.

Archangel Michael also plays an important part in the apocryphal literature, e.g. in the "Assumption of Moses," in "Enoch," and in the "Ascension of Isaiah," where he appears as "the great captain" "who is set over the best part of mankind." In connection with the scriptural and apocryphal passages he was early regarded in the Church as the helper of Christian armies against the heathen, and as a protector of individual Christians against the devil, especially at the hour of death, when he conducts the souls to God. His cult originated in Phrygia, where he was chiefly venerated as a healer, and many hot springs were dedicated to him both in Greece and Asia.

When Satan, Lucifer, fell away from God, and carried half the angels with him to destruction, then Michael arose and cried to the un-fallen angels: "Let us give heed! Let us stand aright; let us stand with fear!" and the whole angelic army sang aloud: "Holy, holy, holy Lord God of Sabaoth; heaven and earth are full of Thy glory!" Among the angels there rules a perfect unity of mind, of soul and of love; of total obedience of the lesser powers to the greater and of all to the holy will of God. Each nation has its guardian angel, as does each individual Christian. We must keep in mind that, whatever we do, openly or in secret, we do in the presence of our guardian angel and that, on the Day of Judgment, a great multitude of the holy angels of heaven will be gathered around the throne of Christ, and the thoughts, words and deeds of every man will be laid bare before them. May God have mercy on us and save us at the prayers of the holy Archangel Michael and all the bodiless powers of heaven. Amen.

The Archangel Gabriel

The Other Bodiless Powers Commemorated

That the angels are constantly involved in this world is testified to, clearly and unmistakably, in Holy Scripture. Both from the Scriptures and from Holy Tradition, the Orthodox Church has learned the names of the seven leaders of the heavenly powers: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Salathiel, Jegudiel and Barachiel (and to these is sometimes added an eighth, Jeremiel).

  1. "Michael" in Hebrew means "Who is like God?" or "Who is equal to God?" St Michael was depicted in the earliest Christian times as a leader, bearing a spear in his right hand with which he attacks Lucifer, Satan, and holding in his left hand a branch of green palm. At the top of the spear is a plaited braid with a red Cross. On our icons, Michael and Gabriel have lightening bolts streaming from their heads, signifying the speed with which they move from one place to another. The Archangel Michael is considered especially to be the guardian of the Orthodox faith and a fighter against heresy.
  2. "Gabriel" means "man of God" or "power of God." He is the herald of the mysteries of God, especially the mystery of the Incarnation and all those that are linked with it.
  3. Raphael" means "God's healing," or "God the Healer" (Tobias 3:17; 12:15).
  4. "Uriel" means "fire" or "light of God" (II Esdras 4:1; 5:20)
  5. "Salathiel" means "one who prays to God" (I1 Esdras 5:16).
  6. "Jegudiel" means "one who glorifies God."
  7. "Barachiel" means "the blessing of God."
  8. "Jeremiel" means "God's exaltation." He is venerated as an inspirer and awakener of those higher thoughts that raise a man God‑ward.

- Composite of the Prologue, ODCC, and Mother Alexandra, The Holy Angels.

Troparion Tone IV

Supreme commanders of the heavenly armies, we, the unworthy, do ever entreat you, that by your prayers ye surround us with the protection of the wings of your immaterial glory, preserving us that earnestly fall down before you and cry aloud: Deliver us from misfortunes, in that ye are the leaders of the hosts on high.

Kontakion Tone II

O ye chief commanders of God, ministers of glory divine, captains of the angels and instructors of men: beg ye great mercy and that which is profitable for us, for ye are the supreme commanders of the bodiless hosts.

Link:   http://www.christ thesaviour.org/St-Michael-etal.htm