Old-style Orthodox Christians mark holiday of Saint Archangels in Moldova

Chisinau, 21 November /MOLDPRES/ - The old-style Orthodox Christians today celebrate the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel. The popular tradition says that the two Saint Archangels bring the last warm days of the year. Today, believers go to church and light a candle, which will be for them a ‘’light in eternity’’ at the end of the world.     

This is the last holiday before the Advent, which starts on 28 November.

The Archangel Michael is regarded as the fighter of light, as well as the head of the Heaven’s army, which triumphs over the evil’s powers. People say that Archangel Michael bears the keys of the Heaven with him. At the same time, the Christian tradition says that Archangel Gabriel has the mission to inform people about God’s mysteries. Namely he was sent to Holy Virgin Mary to let her know about the Birth of Jesus Christ.  

The Archangels Michael and Gabriel are members of the team of angels who are close to people and serve them. Michael means Who Is like God? in Hebrew and Gabriel means God is my strength.    

There is a belief that the origin of the holiday, which dates back from the fifth century AD, was the blessing of a church dedicated to Saint Archangel Michael by the Roman Emperor Arcadius (395-408). Afterwards, the Saint Archangel Gabriel was also marked in calendars and the holiday extended to all angels.   

On this day, more than 100,000 Moldovans celebrate their name day. Also, dedication days are marked in over 200 settlements of Moldova.