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Saint Michael the Archangel is referred to in the Old Testament and has been part of Christian teachings since the earliest times.〔Kelly, John Norman. ''Early Christian Doctrines'' Continuum Publishing, 2000 ISBN 0-8264-5252-3 p. 7〕 In Catholic writings and traditions he acts as the defender of the Church, and chief opponent of Satan; and assists souls at the hour of death. A widely used "Prayer to Saint Michael" was brought into official use by Pope Leo XIII in 1886 and was recommended by Pope John Paul II in 1994. ==The archangels== The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that: "The whole life of the church benefits from the mysterious and powerful help of the angels.... From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession."〔''Catechism of the Catholic Church'' David Bordwell, the Vatican, Continuum International Publishing, 2002 ISBN 0-86012-324-3, p.78, §§334–335〕 In his 1986 address, "Angels Participate in the History of Salvation", Pope John Paul II emphasized the role of the Archangels and stated that: "the angels who participate in the life of the Trinity in the light of glory are also called to play their part in the history of human salvation, in the moments established by divine Providence".〔Pope John Paul II ''Angels Participate in the History of Salvation'' at the Vatican website ()〕 Roman Catholic tradition calls Michael, Gabriel and Raphael ''archangels''. Michael means "''Who is like God?''" (a rhetorical question), Gabriel means "''Power of God''" or "''Strong One of God''" and Raphael means "''God has healed''".〔Ball, Anne. ''Encyclopedia of Catholic Devotions and Practices'' OSV Press 2003, ISBN 0-87973-910-X p.42〕 Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael are named in the Bible as angels. (Roman Catholics accept as canonical, the Book of Tobit, in which Raphael is named.) Only Michael is called an archangel in the Bible. The feast of these angels is celebrated on September 29. An angel of supreme power and the leader of God's army. Within the hierarchy of the angels, at the highest level, St. Michael is a princely seraph.〔Stravinskas, Peter M. J., ''OSV's Catholic Encyclopedia'', OSV Publishing, 1998 ISBN 0-87973-669-0 page 100〕 The word archangel comes from the Greek words ''arche'' (prince) and ''angelos'' (messenger). Christian art often portrays archangels together. Archangels Michael and Gabriel are jointly depicted on Our Lady of Perpetual Help, a Byzantine icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary that has been the subject of widespread Catholic devotions for centuries. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Saint Michael in the Catholic Church」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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