I was on a Orthodox website the other day (I know they are hurting me with their talk about the non existent Papacy in the Early Church) and I noticed that they have more than three Archangels. I was aware of only three.
- St. Micheal
- St. Gabriel
- St. Raphael
There are seven Archangels that are well known. Each of then fight one of the Seven Capital Sins, for instances Lucifer committed the sin of Pride, St. Michael cast him into hell, so you pray to St. Michael if you have problems with vanity.
** Praying to the Archangels:**
Saint Michael - Quis sicut Deus (Who is like unto God) -:
He Challenges the evil spirits of pride (Latin., superbia) and arrogance which is original sin. And protections Against evil spirits.
Saint Teresa of Avila also tells her Daughters the Sisters, to be careful that the devil may counterfeit God’s favors, and seduce them with pride, to make them believe they have gained God’s favor, and, are special when they are not special at all, through a false rapture. You, Sisters, are free of dangers, from what we can know. From pride and vainglory may God deliver you ( iii ).
And under the Baltimore Catechism: Pride is an inordinate self-esteem. Pride comes under the First Commandment; because by thinking to much of ourselves we neglect God, and give to ourselves the honor due Him. Of what have we to be proud? Of our personal appearance? Disease may efface in one night every trace of beauty. Of our clothing? It is not ours; we have not produced it; most of it is taken from the lower animals–wool from sheep, leather from ox, feathers from the bird, etc. are we proud of our wealth, money or property? These may be stolen of destroyed by fire. The learned may become insane, and so we have nothing to be proud of but our good works. All that we have is from God (even our good works) and we can have it only as long as He wishes. We had nothing coming into the world, and we leave it with nothing but the shroud in which we are buried; and even that does not go with the soul, but remains with the body to rot in the earth. Soon after our bodies become so offensive that even our dearest friends hasten to place them underground, were they become food for the worms, a mass of corruption loathsome to sight and smell. Why, then, should we be so proud of this body, and commit so much sin for it, pamper it with every delicacy, only to be food for the worms? This does not mean, however, that we are not to keep our bodies clean, and take care of them. We are bound to do so, and could not neglect it without committing sin. The one thing to be avoided is taking too much care of them, and neglecting our soul to God on their account. The followers of pride are: conceit, hypocrisy, foolish display in dress or conduct, harshness, to others, waste of time on ourselves, etc. (Baltimore Catechism, pg.61 lesson 6. 59)( ii )
Saint Gabriel - “Almighty power of God” - :
He challenges mammon, the evil spirit of covetousness and greed (Latin, avaritia).
Saint Raphael - “Medicine of God”, “God heals”, “Love dart of God” -:
He challenges the evil spirits who promote lust, impurity, unruliness, licentiousness, (Latin, luxuria). And Protection on your travels.
Saint Uriel - “Fire of God, Light of God” -:
He challenges the evil spirits who promote anger, hatred and impatience (Latin, ira). And also pray for protection against evil People, and anxiety.
Saint Jehudiel - “Glory of God” - :
He challenges the infernal spirits who promote envy and jealousy (Latin, invidia).
Saint Sealtiel - “Prayer to God” -:
He fights against gluttony and drunkenness Gluttony (Latin, gula). Intemperance leads to all evil and crime.
St. Barachiel - “God Blessing” -:
He fights against the evil spirits of idleness, indifference and half heartiness (Latin, acedia).
St. Teresa of Avila had said in her writings that the worst of all the seven deadly sins is of sloth, due to the simple fact that that poor soul who’s under control so to say, of this chief capital sin, is and will be to lazy to even become a saint ( iii ). St. Teresa of Avila had said in her writings that the worst of all the seven deadly sins is of sloth, due to the simple fact that that poor soul who’s under control so to say, of this chief capital sin, is and will be to lazy to even become a saint ( iii ).
