It is a custom and tradition in our Church for parishes to be named for a particular saint or event in the life of Christ. The feast of that saint or event then becomes the Patronal Feast of a Parish and is typically celebrated.

On November 8th we celebrate the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel, the chief of the heavenly host, and the Other Heavenly Bodiless Powers. The Church has identifies the following as part of the Heavenly Host:

Archangels

Michael
Gabriel
Raphael
Uriel
Selaphiel
Jehudiel
Barachiel
Jeremiel

This feast was established at the beginning of the fourth century at the Council of Laodicea, which met several years before the First Ecumenical Council. The 35th Canon of the Council condemned and denounced as heretical the worship of angels as gods and rulers of the world, but affirmed their proper veneration. The feastday was established in November, the ninth month after March (with which the year began in ancient times) since there are Nine Ranks of Angels. The eighth day of the month was chosen for the Synaxis of all the Bodiless Powers of Heaven since the Day of the Dread Last

Judgment is called the Eighth Day by the holy Fathers. The end of this age (characterized by the seven days of Creation) will come to an end on the Eighth Day and then “the Son of Man shall come in His Glory and all the holy Angels with Him” (Mt. 25:31).

The Angelic Ranks according to tradition are divided into three Hierarchies. The Highest Hierarchy includes: the Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones. The Middle Hierarchy includes: Dominions, Powers, and Authorities. The Lowest Hierarchy includes: Principalities, Archangels and Angels. All the Ranks are called angels, although each has its own name and position by virtue of their service. The Lord reveals His will to the highest ranks of the angels, and they in turn inform the others. Over all the Nine Ranks, the Lord appointed the Holy Archangel Michael (his name in Hebrew means “who is like unto God”), the faithful servitor of God, as Chief Commander. He cast down from Heaven the arrogantly proud Lucifer and the other fallen spirits when they rebelled against God. St. Dionysius the Areopagite (who lived in the 6th century) was the first to divide the world of the angels into nine ranks.