Dear All, Doesn't the notion of Michael as intercessor, protector,
divine agent, long predate Christianity? I'm a mere art historian (and
a lurker to boot), but have vague recollections of Michael richly in
Midrash, and more generally in Jewish lore. Does anyone work with that
literature?
Nell Gifford Martin, the penitent.
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ME>> I think it fair to say that veneration of angels as intercessors predates
ME>> the veneration of human beings as saints.
ME>>
ME>Yes - one finds Michael as a helper in the Book of Daniel. Also psalm 91 (9
ME>celebrates the angels: "He will give his angels charge over thee, lest thou
ME>a stone." And the new Testament abounds with angels, not only delivering me
ME>to the aid of Christians - e.g. getting Peter out of prison. Angels as inte
ME>been in Christianity right from the beginning, it is not a medieval developm
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