What is the Archangel Michael known for? Trump's prayer post on Michaelmas goes viral

Former US President Donald Trump shared a message on X praying to Archangel Michael on Michaelmas, celebrated every year on September 29. The Republican's post came amid his tight political race with Democratic nominee Kamala Harris in the upcoming 2024 US Presidential elections.

Michaelmas is an annual Christian feast day celebrated every year on September 29 to honour Saint Michael and other angels. The day marks the end of the harvest season in Europe and is considered a celebration of prosperity and good health. It's named after Archangel Michael, also known as Saint Michael the Angel.

Taking to X on Michaelmas this year, the Republican leader wrote:

"Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen."

Archangel Michael is a Christian saint widely considered as a symbol of justice. He's hailed as a spiritual warrior in the battle between good versus evil and a protector of the Church. Saint Michael is usually depicted in art while defeating Satan in the form of a dragon. He can also be seen holding a sword or scales.

Multiple cultures consider Saint Michael a symbol of justice and good faith. He's referenced in the Old Testament, and the Epistoles of Jude and is considered the defeator of Satan in Christianity.

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Archangel Michael is a key figure in Roman Catholic tradition

Saint Michael or Archangel Michael is a prominent figure in Roman Catholic tradition, considered a spiritual symbol of victory of good over evil, justice, harvest and good faith. He's also a key part of Judaism and Islam. The earliest mentions of Saint Michael come in Jewish religious texts from the second or third century BCE.

In Judaism, Archangel Michael is a guardian and chief of all angels. He's portrayed as the guardian prince of Israel, ideally considered the angel who protects the Jewish people in the state. The Book of Enoch mentions him as one of the seven prominent archangels, among Uriel, Raguel, Raphael, Sariel, Gabriel and Remiel.

In Christianity, Saint Michael appears as a figure similar to Jewish tradition. However, myths and legends portray him as a warrior who defeated Satan to establish the victory of good over evil.

In the Book of Revelation (Revelation 12:7–12) from the New Testament of the Bible, Archangel Michael battles Satan and casts him out of heaven to save humanity. His cosmic battle against Satan marks the shift of Christianity from the Old Testament to the New Testament.

In The Epistoles of Jude, Saint Michael is once again portrayed as the symbol of righteousness and the fall of evil. In the religious text, the author explains and denounces heretics by citing the example of Saint Michael and his deeds. The author explains how Archangel Michael didn't hesitate to fight and rebuke Satan over the body of Moses. He's quoted as saying:

"The Lord punish you!"

In Islamic tradition, Archangel Michael is referred to as Mikal in the Quran. He's mentioned in the holy book only once, as part of a legend where the Jews of Medina challenged Muhammed to tell them the name of the angel from whom he got his divine revelations. Muhammed told them that it was Gabriel, but the Jews denied it, saying Gabriel was their enemy and that it was actually Michael.

The hadith also mentions Gabriel and Michael as the two divine angels who showed Muhammed Paradise and Hell.

Saint Michael is celebrated throughout Europe on September 29, a day marked as Michaelmas.