Miracle of Archangel Michael with Florus and Laurus Icon - F156

This historic icon from the 1400s depicts a number of miracles and saints related to horses and other domestic livestock. As such, it is a moving reminder of God’s power revealed through creation, even through common animals. 

The historic iconographer depicted the scenes in three rows of depictions. The upper row represents the Archangel Michael’s miracle with the Martyrs Florus and Laurus where he taught them the arts of horsemanship and prepared them for martyrdom. The central tier includes figures of the triplet martyrs Speusippus, Eleusippus, Meleusippus on horseback. The lowest row represents the figures of Saints Blasius and Spiridon blessing flocks of livestock. 

All angels in icons are dressed as humans, in clothing accented with gold, the color of holiness and Heaven.

• The Archangel Michael is the warrior of God, and in any given instance of heavenly warfare is likely present fighting for Him. In icons, Michael can always be identified by his soldier's attire and often by the sword he wields. In this icon above, we see a different side of Holy Michael, the archangel who intercedes and cares for God’s people. In the iconographer’s crowning of the icon with Holy Michael’s image, he is pointing to the role that the bodiless powers play in humans’ lives.