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2. The Archangel Michael - Anonymous

This painting is called The Archangel Michael and is an orthodox icon from the Banat region dating from the 18th century. Since it is unsigned, its author is unknown.

This type of artwork represents the central pieces of the iconostasis, being called royal icons. The iconostasis is a wall that separates the altar from the nave. It can be made of wood or masonry and symbolizes the separation between the unseen, the altar, and the seen, the nave. It serves as a kind of display space for icons, which have a clear order in Orthodox churches: an icon of Jesus Christ, which must always be placed on the right; one of the Virgin Mary with the Child, on the left; an icon dedicated to the respective church, depicting its patron saint; and often, the icon of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel.

The word archangel comes from Greek, where the prefix archi- means chief, leader, or first, angelos means messenger or angel. The best-known are the Archangel Michael, considered the “great commander,” the fighter against evil, and the Archangel Gabriel, considered the most important messenger of God.

The name Michael (Mi-kha-El) is a rhetorical question, an exclamation meaning “Who is like God?”. This name originates from the critical moment of confrontation with Lucifer. When the proud angel sought to raise himself to the level of the Creator, vowing, “I will be like the Most High!”, Michael immediately rose against him with this essential question. Through this vow, he affirmed his unwavering faith and absolute humility. Thus, the name Michael became a symbol of supreme loyalty to God and of victory over evil and pride.

The Archangel Michael is depicted in this icon as the supreme commander of the Heavenly Hosts, symbolizing the struggle against evil and the victory of Faith. He is portrayed as a young man with a firm attitude, large wings, and hair tied with a ribbon, symbolizing restraint of thought and obedience. Key elements of his depiction are the sword, the armor, and the globe he holds in his left hand.

In this icon, the Archangel Michael is positioned centrally and framed from head to waist. The background is matte and overlaid with small stars, rendered tactilely with thin lines intersecting like the spokes of a miniature wheel. They symbolize the sacred universe in which the figure exists. At the top of the icon, a few letters can be distinguished. There, the name of the icon was once written, but time has partially erased it, so it can now only be read in fragments. It is similar to how Braille dots flatten over time, and one sometimes deduces words from the few remaining raised letters. On this icon, the Greek symbols for the letters AR and EL remain visible on the left side, representing the beginning and the end of the word Archangel. On the upper right side, the original text MIXAHA has been completely preserved, which, translated from Greek, means Michael.

Around his head, the archangel has a halo, represented by a smooth circular surface. His hair is depicted with thin lines. One can feel that it is parted in the middle and that the long strands are arranged neatly, giving the impression that they meet in a ponytail at the nape of the neck. It cannot be seen because it is behind his head. The curls can be traced down to the shoulders, then pass behind the figure and disappear. The face of the figure is smooth, with the eyes, nose, and mouth slightly raised. The facial expression is neutral, with the gaze directed forward. The representation of facial features is simple, almost naive in style.

The Archangel is dressed in armor with a fine texture, while his shoulders and arms are covered by a cloak with a rough texture. On the armor, a few ornaments can be seen, showing that he is not a simple soldier but a leader, since, at that time, ordinary soldiers had simple, even minimal, combat equipment. In his right hand, he holds a sword; in his left, a globe.

It is the “cross-bearing globe,” the visual theological symbol of the close connection between the Archangel Michael and the source of his power: Christ God. The globe has a fine texture, and above it, in raised lines, there is a cross. On the globe are inscribed IC and XC, an abbreviation of the name Jesus Christ in ancient Greek. IC represents the first and last letters of the Greek word for Jesus, and XC the first and last letters of the Greek word for Christ.

On both sides of his body, the archangel has angel wings, outlined by raised lines and smooth in texture over their entire surface. The wings of the Archangel Michael are not anatomical but rather an attribute expressing his mission and nature as a swift messenger and servant of God. In Christian theology, angels and archangels are purely spiritual, incorporeal beings.

Thus, the icon is not merely an artistic representation of a warrior but a window to Heaven and a source of strength for believers in their spiritual struggle, where they can have by their side the Archangel Michael as an unwavering Defender of Truth and an ever-victorious commander, who, by his very existence and name, eternally proclaims the cry of faith: “No one is like God.”