St Archangel Michael the Taxiarch of Mandamados gift set

St Archangel Michael the Taxiarch of Mandamados gift set Christian protection Christmas gift blessed holy water and oil

The Gift set box includes:
Holy water blessed at the monastery
Anointing oil blessed at the monastery
A wooden cross blessed at the monastery
A paper icon of Archangel Michael
A filahto blessed at the monastery (the colour depends from the stock)

Simple gift set box
Holy water blessed at the monastery
Anointing oil blessed at the monastery
A wooden cross blessed at the monastery
A paper icon of Archangel Michael

Archangel Michael of Mantamados (Gr. O Μανταμάδος) refers to a miraculous icon of the Archangel Michael on the island of Lesvos and is one of the four miraculous icons of the Archangel in the Dodecanese of Greece. The monastery is known locally as Taxiarches (the "Archangel") and the feast of the icon is celebrated on November 8 and September 6.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-64XJY1aYoo&t=295s&ab_channel=FotisVakakis

Mantamados icon
There are two accounts surrounding the date of this icon, one having to do with the Ottoman Turkish occupation and destruction of 1462, and the other with Saracen pirates during the 9th and 10th centuries during which the entire island was invaded.

In either case, the story of the creation of the icon shares the theme that the target of the raids was the monastery of the Taxiarchis. The pirates threatened the monks with death if they would not reveal the whereabouts of the hidden villagers. The monks refused and the invaders slaughtered all of the monks except for one novice-monk

As the pirates where leaving, the novice climbed to the roof of the monastery to be sure that the pirates had left. However, the pirates noticed him from afar and returned to kill him as well. It is at this point in the story that the Archangel Michael makes his appearance in front of the Saracens with his own sword drawn forcing them to retreat in terror. Thanks to this miracle from the Archangel the monk survived and descending to the courtyard buried the bodies of his fellow brotherhood.

The monk still in deep respect and reverence for having witnessed the Archangel Michael in all his fury, gathered up the earth that was red by the blood of the martyred monks and shaped it into the icon-sculpture of the Archangel as it is today; while it was still vivid in his memory. According to legend, the monk did not have enough of this dirt-blood mix and so the head of the Archangel has turned out disproportionately larger to the rest of his body.

This icon, is now kept within the interior of the church. Many islanders claim to have had personal experiences of miracles being granted for them by Mantamados. This is evident by the numerous cabinets full of tagmata (gifts) to the Archangel housed inside the church. To this day, pilgrims to this church have mixed emotions regarding this icon. At times, the expression on the icon can appear severe, sad, or happy, according to the message that the Archangel wants to convey to that pilgrim or the faithful. This is the tradition of the much-celebrated icon of Mantamados.

On the island of Lesvos, one can visit this miraculous icon at the Byzantine Monastery of the Taxiarchis (Archangel) Michael in the district of Mantamados. This monastery is situated in the northeast part of Lesvos, 36 km from Mytilini. The history of this monastery and the icon are closely connected to the history of the island of Lesvos.
This is a famous monastery, made of stone. The monastery was most probably abandoned in 1462 the year of the island’s occupation by the Ottoman Turks. In the past, the monastery functioned as a men’s convent and is first mentioned in a 1661 ecclesiastical document. The small church within the monastery originally dates from the 17th century but was replaced by larger church in the 18th century. The present church (cathedral) was constructed in 1879 and follows a three-aisled basilica architectural type. The monastery is structured para-metrically around this church.

...... + ................. + ............... + ....................... + ........................ + ........................ + .........................


It is believed that the Taxiarch General Michael was the angel who appears in the Old Testament and in fact from the first moments of the creation of the world. He was the one who announced to Abraham the need to sacrifice his son Isaac, who then prevented him from appearing to Lot, and redeemed him and his family from the destruction of Sodom. Michael was also the one who led the people of Israel to flee Egypt, appearing in the form of a cloud during the day and fire at night leading them to the Promised Land. He saved the angelic forces from the fall with "we stand well, we stand after fear" and for his parsimony the Trinity God gave him the position of "Lord of the Angelic Battalions". After the fall of Eusphorus, he gathered the armies of angels and said to them, "Let us go. Let us be careful and understand what happened to these fallen demons for their pride and let us think about what God is, what the Angel is not.
God Almighty is our Despot and Creator of the Angels. And we Angels are slaves and buildings of God ''. And they cried out with the angels to the Holy Trinity, "Holy, Holy, Holy Lord of hosts, Lord of hosts, full of the heavens and the earth of his glory." In addition, it is believed that by God's command the Protoplasts were expelled from Paradise by the Archangel Michael, who guarded the door of paradise with the sword in his hand.

Archangel Michael and Archangel Gabriel are usually presented with a sword or scepter in their right hand, a symbol of the power God has given them. In the left hand they often hold a sphere that symbolizes the world.The Christmasn Orthodox accord Michael the title "Archistrategos", or "Supreme Commander of the Heavenly Hosts". The Christmasn Orthodox pray to their guardian angels and above all to Michael and Gabriel.

In the New Testament, Michael leads God's armies against Satan's forces in the Book of Revelation, where during the war in heaven he defeats Satan. In the Epistle of Jude, Michael is specifically referred to as "the archangel Michael". Catholic sanctuaries to Michael appeared in the 4th century, when he was first seen as a healing angel, and then over time as a protector and the leader of the army of God against the forces of evil.