Gabriel and Raphael

On 29 September we also celebrate the Archangels Gabriel and Raphael.

The name Raphael means ‘God heals’ and in the Book of Tobit (III:25 and V:5ff) he appears in a comforting and healing role.  He is also assumed to be the angel who stirred up the water in the pool at Jerusalem (John 5:2-4). (8) The Guild of St Raphael, founded in 1915, exists to promote, support and practise Christ’s ministry of healing as an integral part of the life and worship of the Church.

Gabriel is mentioned in the Book of Daniel where he appears as the angel who helped Daniel to understand his visions (Daniel 8:15; 9:21).  In the New Testament Gabriel brings to Zechariah the good news that his wife will bear a son (John the Baptist) (Luke 1:11-20).  Gabriel is best known, however, as the angel who at the Annunciation brought to Mary the news that she would bear a son and name him Jesus (Luke 1:26-38).  Here is a representation of the Annunciation from the Book of Hours of Richard III which is kept in the Lambeth Palace Library.  Here is a 13th century embroidered bookbinding showing the Annunciation.

Guardian angels

In the Roman Catholic Church Calendar the Feast Day of the Holy Guardian Angels is held on 02 October.  In the Anglican Church, guardian angels are included in the celebration of St Michael and All Angels, as is evident in the Common Worship liturgy for this festival.  

References

1. Farmer, D. (2011) (5th edition) Oxford dictionary of saints, Oxford: Oxford University Press.

2. Attwater, D. (1965) The Penguin dictionary of saints, Harmondsworth: Penguin Books.

3. Farmer, D. (2011) (5th edition) Oxford dictionary of saints, Oxford: Oxford University Press.

4. Farmer, D. (2011) (5th edition) Oxford dictionary of saints, Oxford: Oxford University Press.

5. Watkins, Dom Basil (2002) (7th edition) The book of saints, London: A & C Black.

6. Farmer, D. (2011) (5th edition) Oxford dictionary of saints, Oxford: Oxford University Press.

7. Watkins, Dom Basil (2002) (7th edition) The book of saints, London: A & C Black.

8. Attwater, D. (1965) The Penguin dictionary of saints, Harmondsworth: Penguin Books.

Short talks

Short talks for Michaelmas, The vision of God and Conflict are available in this part of the Holy Faith website.