This is a copy of one of the oldest Christian icons. According to the legend it was brought here from Sinai. At present the original is kept in Serbia. Archangel Michael is frequently painted by Bulgarian iconographers. An interesting fact is that there are many churches all over the country devoted to him. The image of the Christian warrior is present in the following subjects:
Archangel Michael weighs the souls – part from the Doomsday
Archangel Michael argues with the Devil about Moses’ body – the message of Judas, page 9
Archangel Michael meets Varlaam on the road – purgatory 22:31
Archangel Michael bars Varlaam’s way - purgatory 22:22
Archangel Michael tortures the soul of the wealthy – hagiography motive
Archangel Michael kills Satan – 20:1-3
Archangel Michael appears to Jesus Navin – Jesus Navin 5:13-15
Archangel Michael exorcises fury from the sick monk – hagiography motive
Archangel Michael saves Constantinople from the Saracens
According to Dionysius the Aeropagit (about heaven’s hierarchy) the angels represent nine ranks: the first rank – seraphim, cherubim, thrones; second rank – dominion, powers, authorities; third rank – beginnings, archangels and angels.
The canon provides when Archangel Michael is painted to keep in mind the following: military, in order to point out his belonging to the Christian Army; with folded arms – the right one holds a fiery sword. The upper dress is colored in cinnabar, the lower in gold and bottom in gray violet.
The inscriptions on the icons usually read “I am the arch strategist of God” and “Archangel Michael punishes the soul”.
