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| Michael, Raphael, and Gabriel c. 1450 Web Gallery of Art, www.wga.hu |
Today is the feast of the archangels, Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, traditionally known as "Michaelmas." The three archangels figure prominently in Scripture. Raphael, who is associated with healing, appears in the book of Tobit, as the guide of Tobias who is seeking a cure for his father's blindness. Gabriel appears, of course, in the Gospel of Luke, announcing to Mary that she will become the mother of Jesus. And Michael wages war against the devil, and is mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments, particularly in the book of Revelation.
In the 1450 Italian depiction of the three archangels shown above, you can see some of the traditional imagery associated wit them. On the left, holding a sword, is St. Michael. In the center, leading young Tobias, is Raphael. And on the right, holding a scroll with God's message to Mary, is Gabriel.
Read a fun article about traditions associated with Michaelmas here, at Garrison Keillor's "Writers Almanac."
