The Shrine of St. Michael

Created by Louise Lieber

Dedicated to our parishioners and their companions who died of A.I.D.S.

The Shrine of St. Michael 

Saint Michael The Archangel, whose name means "Who is like unto God," first appears by name in the book of Daniel (10:13, 12:1) and in the Book of Revelation he is the principal fighter against the devil.  It is also assumed that he was intimately involved in the death of Moses.  This has been more resolutely affirmed based on the "Assumption of Moses," an apocryphal Jewish text written around  1000 B.C., when the first Hebrew Bible was assembled.  The traditional Greek Orthodox Icon of Michael displayed here is from the Byzantine Museum in Athens.  For more information on the museum please click on the name. 

He has had extensive cult following from the earliest days in both Christianity and Judaism.  Michael is the standard bearer who leads the "souls into holy light."  He has been called the "weigher of souls."  The Roman Emperor Constantine first developed the cult where Michael is invoked to intercede for the sick. It is in this context that distinguished Bay Area sculptor Louise Lieber created the Shrine of St. Michael dedicated to the many All Saints' parishioners and their friends who died of AIDS. 

All Saints' Episcopal Church celebrates his Feast Day on September 29 or the Sunday closest to it, with a high solemn Mass and the reading of the names of our friends and parishioners who have died of AIDS.  Below the night  photo of the Shrine is Ms. Liebers' reflections on her work. 

The Shrine at Night 

The Shrine of St. Michael, Defender of the Defenseless, and to All Angels.

By Louise Lieber

The Shrine is located in the back corner of the garden, facing out toward the rectory at the front of the garden and the parish hall to the side, where it can be easily seen with easy access to it.  It is built of redwood and metal on a concrete base.  The concrete is in the form of a V shape with two sloping walls which meet at an angle and form a triangular base.  Connecting the two walls is a low, semicircular wall which forms a pool and in the pool are steps which ascent to the top of the base.  Water bubbles up from the base and runs down the stairs into the pool.  The shrine is built of redwood.  Six columns form a corner construction,  joined together with cross pieces at the top and with a pitched roof.  Inside in the center hanging from the center posts is a sheet of metal and on the metal is the image of the angel, cut out of the metal.  

The Shrine symbolizes the stages of our earthly and spiritual life.  The concrete, which is wedged into the earth reminds us of our physical being.  The impression of branches in the concrete refer to the natural cycle of growth and renewal, of the tree of life and the vitality of living forms.  Crosses float among the branches.  The architecture of the shrine, in wood and metal, embodies the vitality of the Archangel--a warrior angel, the defender of the defenseless.  The architecture is the angel, his armor.  Inside is the presence of an inner core of light--the void.  Like the impression of branches, it gives a sense that the Archangel was present, has burned through into our space.  The spiritual presence is here to help us. Goethe, in a wonderful poem titled: Song of the Spirits Over the Water says:

A mortal's soul seems

Like the Water,

From heaven coming

To Heaven rising

Again renewed then

To Earth descending

Ever changing. 

To Learn More About St. Michael The Archangel Click on his name. 

Click on Shield to Return to All Saints' Home Page