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11 January, 2026 / 21:29

/ 21 November, 2025

Orthodox Christians of Moldova celebrate Saints Archangels Michael, Gabriel according to Old Style

Saints Archangels Michael and Gabriel on November 21 are celebrated by Orthodox Christians, according to the old style calendar. In the morning, religious services are held in the churches of the country. At the same time, more settlements mark their patronal feast today.

Popular tradition says that the two saints bring the last warm days of the year.

Saints Archangels Michael and Gabriel is the last major feast before the Nativity Fast, which begins on November 28.

Archangel Michael is considered the warrior of light and the leader of the heavenly hosts, who triumphs over the forces of evil. It is said among the people that he carries the keys to Heaven. At the same time, according to the Christian tradition, Archangel Gabriel has the mission of announcing divine mysteries. It was he who was sent to the Virgin Mary to bring her the news of Jesus' birth.

From Hebrew, Michael means “Who is like God”, and Gabriel means “man-God”. The word Archangel means angel.

It is believed that the origin of the celebration, which dates back to the fifth century, was the consecration of a church dedicated to St. Archangel Michael by the Roman Emperor Arcadicus of Constantinople (395-408). Later, St. Archangel Gabriel was also mentioned in the calendars, and the celebration extended to the entire assembly of angels.

According to statistics data, in Moldova, over 76,000 people bear the name Mihai or Mihail, and 15,000 people are named Mihaela. At the same time, about 18,000 other Moldovans have the name Gabriel, Gabriela, or Gavril. At the same time, the patronal feast is celebrated in over 200 localities.

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