This wooden church-sculpture of the Archangel St. Michael Standing on a Globe is from the Andes and dates from the 1870s. In Hebrew, Michael means “who is like God.” Mentioned three times in the Book of Daniel, Archangel Michael was considered the advocate of the Jews, coming to occupy a place in the Jewish liturgy. In the New Testament Michael leads God’s armies against Satan’s forces in the Book of Revelation. Christian sanctuaries to Archangel Michael appeared in the 4th century, when he was first seen as a healing angel, and over time as a protector and the leader of the army of God against the forces of evil. By the 6th century, devotions to Archangel Michael were widespread both in the Eastern and Western Churches.
Dr. Pamplin and Collection Manager Chet Orloff working on this piece after its arrival.
