Synaxis of the Heavenly Hosts
Synaxis of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel and All the Bodiless Powers
Related documentary: Archangel Michael. The November 8 Synaxis honors Michael, Gabriel and all the bodiless powers.
The Church gathers to honor the angels as God’s servants and to give thanks for their ministry.
Core account checked against Orthodox Synaxarion (Greek). Additional ecclesiastical references appear below.
Life and Witness
The Meaning of the Synaxis
On November 8 the Orthodox Church honors Michael, Gabriel and all the bodiless powers. A synaxis is a gathering in worship. The feast remembers the angels’ obedience to God and their ministry within His saving purpose.
Messengers and Servants
Holy Scripture presents angels as spirits sent by God to minister to those who are to inherit salvation. They do not act as independent divine powers. Michael is honored as a leader of the heavenly hosts, while Gabriel is especially associated with the joyful announcement of the Incarnation to the Theotokos.
The Heavenly Hosts
The Church’s tradition names nine ranks of angels: Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Powers, Authorities, Principalities, Archangels and Angels. Their praise directs attention to the holiness of God. In asking for their protection and intercession, the faithful worship the Holy Trinity, the Creator of every visible and invisible creature.
Biographical information on this page is based exclusively on the Orthodox ecclesiastical sources listed below.
Orthodox Synaxarion (Greek)