RIA Novosti was told in the Moscow Patriarchate foreign church relations department that in the morning, Patriarch Alexis of Moscow and all Russia conducted a Divine Liturgy in the Archangel Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin.

In line with the Churchs doctrine, this feast was established early in the fourth century at the Local Council of Laodicea, which

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took place several years before the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea. The council condemned the heretical worshipping of Angels as the creators and rulers of the world and confirmed their Orthodox veneration.

The feast is celebrated in November, as it is the ninth month from March (in ancient times, the year started from it), and nine is the number of Angelic Choirs.

God told St. Archangel Michael to supervise the nine choirs. This name, translated from Hebrew, means "who is like God." According to the Bible, St. Michael threw down Lucifer who became too proud and other fallen spirits from the skies.

St. Michael took part in many Old Testament events. When Israelis were leaving Egypt, he showed himself to them in the form of a pillar of clouds in the daytime and a pillar of fire in the nighttime. The Lords Power showed through him, which killed Egyptians and the Pharaoh, who pursued Israelis.

From time immemorial, Archangel Michael was known for his miracles in Russia as well. Many monasteries, cathedrals, and churches are named after him. In ancient Kiev, after adoption of Christianity, the Archangel Cathedral was built and a monastery was constructed. Churches devoted to Archangel Michael are everywhere in Russia. One of Moscows principal churches - a burial vault in the Kremlin bears his name too.

MOSCOW, Nov 21 (RIA Novosti, Olga Lipich)