St. Michael

' Michael, one of the holy angels, he that is set over the best part of mankind and over chaos.' Book of Enoch.

Michael is one of the seven archangels in Judaism, Islam and Christianity (to Christians he is St. Michael).

 In the Book of Enoch (part of the Apocrypha) Michael leads the defeat of the rebellious archangel, Lucifer, and casts him down. In art St. Michael often appears flourishing a sword against a dragon.

 Although St. Michael ranks sixth in popularity as a patron saint, he only appears in the Bible once - Revelations 12; 7- 9. Being excarnate (having no earthly remains) the cult of relics, so much a part of early (and later) Christianity, made no contribution to the number of dedications to the Archangel.

Up to the sixth c the cult of the Archangel was unknown in Christian Gaul. The cult of St. Michael is said to have been spread from the British isles to the Continent by Celtic missionaries. 

(There is a remarkable similarity between St. Michael and St. George. The main difference being St. George is earthly while St. Michael is metaphysical

 According to one legend St. Michael is credited with helping St. Patrick to clear Ireland of snakes and demons.

St. Michael's day was September, 29th, Michaelmas. 

( With an adjustment for the Gregorian calendar reforms this equates with the autumnal equinox, an indication of the high status accorded Michael in Christian mythology )