Amanda Swisten: September 2011

Thursday, September 29, 2011

St. Michael, Archangel - Prince of Light

Today is Michaelmas: the feast of St. Michael the Archangel, or the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels. Michael is a given name that comes from the Hebrew: מִיכָאֵל / מיכאל‎ (Mikha'el), derived from the Hebrew question: "mi kəmo ʔelohim", meaning "Who is like God?"

The Letter to the Hebrews notes: "Are not all angels spirits in the divine service, sent to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?" I am still unabashedly and avowedly one of those quaint remnants from the medieval Catholic tradition who believes not only in angels, but also in angel guardians for each of us. A late dear friend of mine, was convinced that even every parish church has an angel guardian. I obviously don't and can't know the name of my personal angel guardian, but, nevertheless, have vaguely sensed a "presence" from my earliest days, and have been spared enough times in situations where I could've been seriously harmed had it not been for the presence and influence of a being superior to me. That isn't in any way not to acknowledge God's presence always, but this angelic presence is something slightly different. I have know idea how many other folks might or might not share this conviction.

Western Christianity celebrates Michaelmas on September 29 in the Church calendar. The Eastern Orthodox Churches do not observe Michaelmas, but rather honor the Archangels on November 8 instead. Because it falls near the equinox, it's associated in the northern hemisphere with the beginning of autumn and the shortening of days. St. Michael is considered the greatest of all the Archangels or principal angels, who also include Gabriel, Uriel, and Raphael. Michael is honored for overcoming Lucifer, as is alluded to in the Book of Revelation. Angel = ἄγγελος (pronounced ángelos in Greek) = messenger. God's messengers can be visible or non-visible, in human or non-human forms. Archangel Michael is seen as a protector against the darkness of night, and as the administrator of cosmic intelligence.

Everlasting God, you have ordained and constituted in a

wonderful order the ministries of angels and mortals:

Mercifully grant that, as your holy angels always serve and

worship you in heaven, so by your appointment they may

help and defend us here on earth; through Jesus Christ our

Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one

God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Funny Finger Drawings HD Wallpapers

Invitación: Presentación del libro Chumy Chúmez

Results 5th International Cartoon Festival SMILEANAPA 2011

The Winners of the 5th SMEHANAPA (SMILEANAPA) International Cartoon Festival – 2011 / Anapa, Russia
The 5th Festival has attracted more than 850 drawings from 205 cartoonists of 41 countries and in addition 29 young cartoonists (up to 14 years old).

Theme: Laughter – terapy

First Prize – Oleg Loktyev, Russia

Second Prize – Dmitro Skazhenyk, Ukraine

Third Prize - Darko Drljevic, Montenegro
Honorable Diplomas:
Boris Erenburg, Israel
Sergei Tunin, Russia
Valentin Georgiev, Bulgaria
Jia Rui jun, China
Wang Yinxiang, China
Viacheslav Shilov, Russia
Sergey Kokarev, Russia
Gheorghe Matei, Romania
Alfredo Martirena, Cuba.

Theme: Free

First Prize – Sergey Sichenko, Israel

Second Prize – Igor Smirnov, Russia

Third Prize – Alexandr Dubovsky, Ukraine
Honorable Diplomas:
Irien Trendafilov, Bulgaria
Mikhail Larichev, Russia
Valery Momot, Ukraine
Sergey Semendyaev, Ukraine
Vladimir Kazanevsky, Ukraine
Ba Bilig, China
Anton Lobanov, Russia.

Child's section:
Katia Sergeeva, Russia
Wu Qian Yun, China
Zhenia Chernyshev, Russia.

Prize of the General Sponsor (sanatorium “Di Luch”, Anapa):
Vladimir Pron’kin, Russia.

A Favorite Public Award:
Alexander Zotkin, Ukraine.
All awarded cartoons:
http://www.cartoonblues.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=59&t=9309
This report by:
Vasiliy Alexandrov, Chairman of Jury
Alexander Prohorov, Director.