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Commemoration of the miracle of the Holy Archangel Michael 9/19/2013
In Phrygia there was a place called Chonae (meaning 'melting pot' or 'funnel') not far from Hierapolis; and at this place - a spring with miracle-working water. When the Holy Apostle John the Theologian preached the Gospel in Hierapolis with Philip, he looked on that spot and foresaw that there a spring of miracle-working water would flow that would heal many and that that place would be visited by the great Archangel of God Michael. Soon afterwards this prophecy became true, a spring began to flow which owing to its miraculous power became famous all over the land. A pagan from Laodicea had a mute daughter and was in a great sorrow because of this. But Archangel Michael appeared to him in a dream and instructed him to take his mute daughter to the spring, where she would be healed. The father obeyed straightaway, he took his daughter and by the spring he met many people that sought salvation from various sufferings. They were all Christians. Then the man asked them how was he supposed to seek healing, and the Christians told him:" In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, you should implore the Holy Archangel Michael." This man did so and prayed, and gave his daughter to drink from the water, and the girl began to speak. Then this pagan man was baptised together with all his family, and by the spring he built a church dedicated to the Holy Archangel Michael. Later on, this place was inhabited by a boy called Archippus, who lead an ascetic life there in strict fasting and prayer. The pagans did him a great harm for it was not in their will that from the Christian holiness should proceed such a great power and attract numerous people. So, in their malice, they turned the nearby river in order to flood the church and the spring. Yet, since Archippus had prayed, the Holy Archangel appeared again and opened a gap in the rock near the church that received the coming river. Thus this place was saved and was called Chonae (meaning 'melting pot' or 'funnel') since the river had dived in the opened abyss. Saint Archippus had leaded an ascetic life there for seventy years and peacefully fell asleep in the Lord.
