"Feasts in honor of angels developed particularly in the East. After the time of Constantine many churches were dedicated in honor of Michael, the only archangel named in Scripture (Daniel and Revelation). Gabriel is the only other angel mentioned by name in Scripture proper, though Raphael and Uriel are named in the Apocrypha. September 29 was the date of the dedication in the fifth century, of a small basilica on the Via Salaria, six miles from Rome, the first church in Italy dedicated in honor of Michael.
The feast which commemorates this event, and which eventually regarded Michael as representative of all angels, gradually spread throughout the West. The Council of Mainz introduced it A.D. 813 and the popularity of the “warrior saint” in Teutonic lands is shown by the large number of churches which bear his name. King Ethelred established the feast in England in A.D. 1019. The term “All Angels” is an Anglican addition at the time of the Reformation."
"The Lutheran Liturgy" by Luther D. Reed, p. 506
Let us pray:
O Everlasting God, Who hast ordained and constituted the services of angels and men in a wonderful order: Mercifully grant, that as Thy holy angels always do Thee service in Heaven, so by Thy appointment they may succor and defend us on earth; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Amen.
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