Who are the Archangels Michael, Raphael and Gabriel?

Archangels are exceptionally powerful spiritual beings who do God's work as healers and assisting us during our many difficult life experiences.

The prefix ‘arch’ means ruling, principle, chief or angel of high rank. Religious texts refer to an archangel as being at the eighth level of the nine level celestial hierarchy. While the number of Archangels is unknown, many faiths describe seven Archangels. In the Book of Tobit (12:15) of the Bible, the Archangel Raphael reveals himself in saying: "I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who stand in the glorious presence of the Lord, ready to serve him." The other two Archangels mentioned by name in the Bible are Michael and Gabriel. The four names of the other Archangels are mentioned as part of multi-faith teachings and history.

The Torah recounts that three angels appeared to Abraham (Genesis 18:2). Although the Torah does not give the names of the three angels, the Talmud, a collection of civil and ceremonial law, reveal the names as Michael, Raphael and Gabriel. They are viewed as being the three angels that appears to Abraham in the oak grove of Mamre in the region of Hebron in the Book of Genesis. Michael, as the greatest archangel, walked in the middle, with Gabriel to his right and Raphael to his left.

All three angels were commanded by God to carry out a specific task. Michael's task was to inform Sarah, Abraham's wife, that despite her old age, she would give birth to her son, Isaac, the following year. Gabriel's task was to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah and Raphael's task was to heal Abraham (from his recent circumcision) and save Lot and his family. Although tradition states that Archangels are only given one task at a time to complete, Raphael's task included two parts which both included saving people, so they are seen as a single task.

Michael the Archangel

Michael the Archangel, is the only archangel mentioned by name in all three of the major sacred books in Judaism (Torah), Christianity (Bible), and Isam (Qur'an). He is the only archangel named as such in the Bible but one of two, along with Archangel Gabriel, mentioned in the Qur'an.

In the New Testament, Michael leads God's armies of angels against Satan and his armies in the Book of Revelation (12:7-9) where during the war in heaven he defeats Satan and his angels.

He is venerated as the Protector of the Jewish People, Guardian of the Catholic church and Vatican City, the military, mariners, firefighters, police officers and law enforcement agencies

Christian sanctuaries dedicated to Saint Michael during the 4th century commemorated Michael as the Archangel of healing, thus he is also venerated as the patron saint of medical personnel, paramedics and physicians and those who are sick.

Raphael the Archangel

Raphael, whose name means "God heals," is the archangel venerated for physical and emotional healing according to all Abrahamic religions including Judaism, Christianity and Islam, first described in the Hebrew Bible.

Raphael is mentioned in Christianity in the Book of Enoch (alongside the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Uriel); in the Gospel of John (as stirring the waters of the healing pool of Bethesda); and as a self-proclamation (after healing the blind Tobit) in the Book of Tobit as one of seven Archangels. He is recognized as an angel in Mormonism (Doctrine of Covenants) and as a venerated angel and Saint within the Roman Catholic. Eastern Orthodox, Anglican and Lutheran faiths.

In the Muslim tradition, Raphael is the fourth major angel, which includes Michael, Gabriel and Uriel. Though unnamed in the Qur'an, Israfil is traditionally seen as the counterpart to Raphael and seen as holding a trumpet, which is held to at his lips, and when commanded by God he shall be ready to announce the Day of Resurrection.

As first depicted in Genesis with attending to Abraham as a healer following his circumcision and assisting Sarah with her infertility, Archangel Raphael is not only seen as a healer of individuals (physical, emotional and mental) but as assisting those that practice healing, such as those in the fields of medicine. He is also the patron saint of lovers, children and young people and travelers (watching over them to ensure a safe trip as a guardian angel).

Like Archangel Michael, Raphael is venerated as a patron saint of healers and of the sick.

Gabriel the Archangel

Archangel Gabriel’s name means "God is my strength," and is the archangel venerated as God's messenger according to all Abrahamic religions including Judaism, Christianity and Islam, first described in the Hebrew Bible.

In Judaism, Gabriel is viewed as being one of the three angels that appears to Abraham in the oak grove of Mamre in the region of Hebron in the Book of Genesis. Gabriel's task was to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah.

In the Hebrew Bible, Gabriel is mentioned in the Book of Daniel (8:15–26, 9:21–27). Daniel experiences a prophecy but does not understand it, Gabriel comes to Daniel and interprets the vision for him. Here Gabriel is depicted as a communicator. A year later, Gabriel again visits Daniel and tells him that he has been at war and will fight those that remain. From this passage, one can infer that Gabriel is a holy warrior.

In the Book of Enoch, Gabriel is depicted as an avenging angel sent by God to wage war against sinners.

In the Talmud, God sends Gabriel to smite the Assyrians, and Gabriel replies that his sword “has been sharpened since the six days of Creation.” In other words, he was created to be an avenging angel.

In Christianity, in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 1:11-38), Gabriel appears to Zechariah and the Virgin Mary, prophesying the births of John the Baptist and Jesus. Gabriel is venerated in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Anglican faiths and is considered a saint.

Muslims believe that he led Muhammad to the Qur’an. The Clot, which are the first 5 verses of the 96th chapter of the Qur’an, were the first verses revealed to Muhammad by the Archangel Gabriel.

As the patron of communications, Gabriel is venerated as the messenger Archangel, acting as a messenger of God. He is the patron of writers, teachers, journalists. artists and ambassadors. As a holy messenger to Abraham, Sarah, Lot, Muhammad and the Virgin Mary, the Archangel Gabriel is a communicator and guardian in all areas related conception, pregnancy, childbirth, child rearing and adoption.