which was the best and greatest miracle. He says, however, that he is one of the seven archangels, because of all the supercelestial orders and those things which are apprehended by the intelligence, they are the leaders and princes of the classes and assemblies, A as has been said above.
XXXIV. Let us also, therefore, sincerely celebrate here, as we ought, O sacrosanct and God-gathered assembly, the joyful and illustrious and admirable festival of Michael, the leader of the orders, who affects souls and bodies with kindness; and let us offer him gifts that are acceptable and worthy, and let us not cease to sing pious hymns to him perpetually, so that he too may move more vehement intercessions to our common Lord and Creator, that He may grant pardon to us, who are surrounded by multiple sins through human weakness and misery. Therefore, let us cry out to him and say:
B Kind minister of a kind Lord, who initiates us into the mysteries, Michael, prince of the militia, having, by your assiduous intercessions before the King of glory, led all your praisers and faithful servants, when they have gone through repentance, to become better and to live as is fitting for the saints, place them there in the station of the just. For all the assembly of Christians, after God and His undefiled Mother, has you as our greatest patron and defender of our salvation. You, as the most valid arms and walls of our assistance against all enemies, both those who fall into our intelligence and those who fall under our senses, we oppose. You we carry about as the divine and most evident boasting of our defense. Through you, faithful kings A will attain the trophies of victory. Through you, the leaders of the armies of the Christian people conquer and afflict the phalanxes of the infidel nations with disgrace. Through you, every grace, and prediction, and wisdom, and virtue is as it is for faithful men. Furthermore, as you have the ability, grant also in turn the outcome of our petitions. Protect always and conserve our life with your archangelic wings, and deliver us from every harm. Cure the maladies of those who are sick. Cause the spirits of those who insult us with reproaches and injuries to vanish into air and be dissolved. Even more, depress and cast down the haughty and glorious eyebrow and grandiloquence of the perverse and enemy of God, and of Satan, who is hostile to men, and cause his wicked machinations to cease and be rendered idle. Repel the snares of the demons which are set against us. Uproot the tares that have been sown by the enemy in the field of the Church. Purge the planting of the true Father of the family and Lord. Attack, and disgrace, and dissolve the assemblies of those who think evil and are impious. Confirm and corroborate us perpetually with the defenses of your intercessions to this end, that we may perform the Lord’s and divine will without impediment: that, having been deemed worthy through your providence and defense, we may lead our life in truth and justice, and attain the eternal goods of Christ in the kingdom of heaven, by the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory and power for ever and ever. Amen.
ANNO DOMINI MCCXL
MANUEL CHARITOPULOS
CHAPTER OF THE PATRIARCHS
SOLUTIONS OF CERTAIN QUESTIONS,
ON THE RIGHT OF PATRONAGE
ON THE TRANSLATION OF BISHOPS.
Vide tom. CXIX, col. 807-815.