November 8th is a special day in Greece, marking the feast day of the Saints (Archangels) Michael and Gabriel. Those named Michalis and Gavriil celebrate their name day on this date.
Birthdays are a big deal and are seen as some of the major milestones in life, but in Greece, name days take the cake — so to speak — when it comes to personal celebrations and rituals. In Greece, your birthday plays second fiddle to your name day, your “yiorti,” as it is known in Greek.
Saint Michael, Patron of the Greek Airforce
The day is also celebrated by the Hellenic Airforce as Archangel Michael is regarded as its protector.
On June 11, 1954, Archangel Michael was established as the patron saint of the Greek Air Force. Since then, the feast of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel on November 8th is the official aviation holiday. It is celebrated with great pomp in all Air Force units.
Defense Minister Nikos Dendias visited the Hellenic Airforce Academy Ikaros on Friday and joined the cadets in a celebration of the patron saint.
Saint Michael, the Archangel
Archangel Michael is an angel, created as an invisible and perfect spirit, which is not limited by time or space. In addition, he is the only one who is called an Archangel, according to the Holy Bible, as well as “one of the first lords” and “archons.” His name means “he who is like God.”
Michael is an angel who appears in the Old Testament. Lucifer, whose name means “he who brings light”—the highest position in created perfection—led a small group of rebellious angels (later demons), who aimed to disobey the orders of God. They rebelled.
At that moment, Archangel Michael assumed an important role in the suppression of Lucifer’s rebellion, thus earning the title of Archangel. He was the one who announced to Abraham the need to sacrifice his son, Isaac. It was also he who led the people of Israel when fleeing from Egypt.
In the New Testament, Archangel Michael is the one who announces the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and the rapture of His Church. He is also present in Joshua, the fall of Jericho, as well as in the stories of Emmanuel, David, and Elijah. He always holds a sword, which gives fiery punishment to God’s enemies.
Furthermore, we see him in the descent of Christ to Hades, as well as in John’s Apocalypse, where, as the head of the Angels, he fights Satan.
Related: Patron Saints of the Greek Armed Forces
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