Celebrating the Archangels: 7 Things to Know and Share

Michie · Sep 29, 2023

There are only three angels whose names are mentioned in Scripture, and Sept. 29 is their day.

Sept. 29 is the feast of Sts. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, archangels.

These are the only three angels whose names are mentioned in Scripture, and this is their day.

Here are 7 things to know and share ...

1) What is an archangel?

The word “archangel” (Greek, archangelos) means “high-ranking angel” — the same way that “archbishop” means a high-ranking bishop.

Only St. Michael is described as an archangel in Scripture (Jude 9), but it is common to honor Sts. Gabriel and Raphael as archangels also.

2) Why are they called “saints” if they’re angels rather than humans?

The word “saint” (Greek, hagios) means “holy one.”

It does not mean “holy human being.” As a result, it can apply to holy ones that aren’t human.

Since Sts. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael all chose to side with God rather than the devil, they are holy angels and thus saints.

All angels that sided with God are saints, but these three’s names are known to us, and so they are picked out by name in the liturgy.

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