The Archangel Michael Gold Medal, 7.78 g

About the hosts of Heaven

The bodiless powers are servants of God, sent to protect and aid humanity. Their celestial nature is beyond human understanding and physical descriptions are scarce – the focus of the Holy Scriptures is always on their function, but a number of prophets have described the different ranks as they appeared to them in visions.

The famous angels and archangels are only two of a total of nine ranks divided into three levels, that have been mentioned in various religious texts. The different abrahamic religions ascribe differing hierarchical structures, but Christianity separates them into: a first and highest order (Seraphim, Cherubs, and Thrones), second order (Dominions, Virtues, and Powers), and third order (Principalities, Archangels, and Angels).

Among them, the bodiless powers of the third order are the closest to man.

The bodiless spirits of the third order are in the closest proximity to man – in a number of writings, angels and archangels appear before chosen personages in the guise of young men of unfathomable beauty, as messengers and protectors. Secular and religious artworks depict them with wings, but this attribute is absent from canon descriptions. It is a symbolic representation of their role as intercessors between God and humanity, which has become an intrinsic part of the way Christians from all over the world see them – an inalienable aspect of their identity, much like the halo that signifies their holy nature.

Archangels serve the role of messengers – they announce all things great and holy, send prophecies, and spread knowledge and understanding of God’s will to the angels, who in turn pass them unto humanity. Orthodoxy venerates seven primary archangels whose names are known from Biblical texts or apocrypha - Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Salathiel, Jegudiel, and Barachiel.

About the Archangel Michael

The archangel Michael is the archistrategos, or commander, of the bodiless powers. He is a warrior against evil – we turn to him with prayers for protection against enemies, dark forces, misfortune, and the temptations of evil spirits. His name means “Who is like God?”

He is an important personage in a number of Biblical texts and legends, the most famous of which is probably the one in Colossa. The story speaks of a group of pagans who attempted to destroy a church built in the Archangel Michael’s name, which was at the time under the care of a righteous Christian, by redirecting two rivers towards the temple. The archistrategos of the bodiless powers himself appeared and with one mighty strike of his staff he split the ground and commanded the waters to pour themselves into the chasm. And so the church and the holy man who presided over it were saved.

In the Book of Revelations, he is depicted as an equal opponent to the Devil – the leader of the angels who remained faithful to God, just as Satan was the leader of those who chose to Fall.

Bulgarian tradition holds that the Archangel Michael is the embodiment of death whose job it is to collect the souls of the deceased. This topic is heavily featured in Bulgarian iconography – one of the most famous depictions of him is in the role of Taker of Souls – the “Saint Michael the Archangel takes the soul of the rich man” mural in the Rila Monastery. His image is often placed by the gates of churches, opposite the Archangel Gabriel. Much rarer in this country is the depiction of his defeat over Satan – a topic much more popular in the West. The Archangel Michael is often portrayed with a sword or spear in hand, as well as a shield, globe, or a scroll. The globe holds some mystery – it is most often interpreted as a representation of all of Creation, with a variety of monograms invoking the name or titles of Christ spelled within.

Holidays and veneration

On November 8 we celebrate the Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the Other Bodiless Powers, also known as Michaelmas. On this day people prepare ritual bread for good health and protection against an untimely death – the decorative elements on these baked goods are similar to those prepared for funerals and wakes as a reference to the Archangel Michael’s role as a reaper of souls.

According to Christianity, November is the ninth month since the creation of the universe, and Judgement Day is to be the “eigth day” since seven millenia have passed. It is believed that on this day the Son of Man and God will come, together with the Heavenly Hosts – all nine ranks, led by the Archangel Michael. This is what we celebrate every year on the Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the Other Bodiless Powers.

The so-called Great Saturday of Souls is closely linked to Michaelmas – it always falls on the Saturday before this holiday.

We dedicated this program to the saints thousands of Christians turn to with prayers of good health and protection, aid and spiritual guidance. It will consist of 12 medal collections dedicated to 12 holy men and women central to Eastern Orthodox Christianity. Each motif will be struck to proof matt-gloss quality onto two medals made of the finest gold and silver.

The number 12 itself is steeped in symbolic meaning - it bears significance in every corner of the world and in more than one religion or culture. That is how many months there are in a year according to most calendars. Its significance is especially pronounced in the Christian Bible. There are twelve holy apostles in the New Testament - chosen confidants and students of Jesus Christ, who were the ones to spread his gospel. The days between the Nativity of Christ and Epiphany are also twelve. Eastern Orthodox Christianity observes twelve Great Feasts - each dedicated to a pivotal moment in the life of Jesus Christ or the Virgin Mary, second in significance only to Easter.

The reverse design shared by the medals in this collection draws inspiration from the gilded iconostasis from the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Rila Monastery - a composition of richly ornamented woodcarvings depicting floral ornaments, stylised animals and angels. This iconostasis was made between 1839 and 1844 by the master woodcarver Atanas Teladur, founder of the woodcarving movement of the Samokov Art School.

The iconostasis holds a place of high importance in interior church architecture - it represents the divide between Heaven and Earth. It acts as a partition between the altar, to which only members of the clergy have access, and the congregation. It is also the frame upon which the majority of the church icons are hung. The Orthodox churches of Bulgaria, particularly the ones from the National Revival Period, are known for their intricate hand-carved wooden iconostasеs, each steeped in Christian symbolism and local folk motifs.

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You can also get your order from the Bulmint showroom in Plovdiv at 24 Otets Paisiy Str. or in Sofia аt 1 Oborishte Str.

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