Archangel Michael, also known as Archistrategos Michael, is mentioned in several books of the Bible. He is regarded as the chief archangel and one of the most venerated in the Abrahamic religions. In Orthodoxy he is called Archistrategos, meaning "leader of the holy host of Angels and Archangels."
In the Russian Orthodox Church his feast is celebrated on September 6 (19) and November 8 (21), in the Coptic Orthodox Church on the 12th of every month, and in the Catholic Church on May 8.
The name "Archangel Michael" consists of the words "arch angel mi ka el." "Angel" comes from the Hebrew "malach," meaning "messenger," and the prefix "arch" gives the meaning "chief." "Mi ka el" literally means "Who is like God?" — expressing that no one is equal to God. It can also be understood as "chief messenger endowed with the authority of El."
