An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church

Michael

(12:7-9) describes Michael as the leader of the angels in victory over the dragon (identified with Satan) and the dragon's angels. Michael is often portrayed with a sword fighting or standing over a dragon. Observance of a day in honor of Michael dates from the fifth century. The feast of St. Michael the Archangel is traditionally celebrated on Sept. 29. In the 1549 BCP the feast was expanded to include all angels. The feast of St. Michael and All Angels is one of the major feasts of the church year in the Episcopal Church. See Angel.

Glossary definitions provided courtesy of Church Publishing Incorporated, New York, NY,(All Rights reserved) from “An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, A User Friendly Reference for Episcopalians,” Don S. Armentrout and Robert Boak Slocum, editors.