The famous Swiss psychiatrist, Carl Jung, throughout his prolific writings on the unconscious, alludes to a phenomenon that, he believed, was essential in the on-going process of understanding ourselves. (Following Plato’s dictum, “know thy self’.) Jung often referred to this phenomenon as the ‘numinous’. He believed this type of experience to be important in our overall mental and spiritual health. The standard dictionary defines numinous as - arousing spiritual or religious emotions; or in my case, mysterious or awe-inspiring perceptions caused by the “divine will’. Not so long ago, it was my good fortune to experience such a phenomenon.
Last Sunday, I rose early, around six in the morning, to cook the family’s favourite fried chicken. The reason for this unusual act of kindness on my part was that it was a special request from my mother-in-law, because it was the first year anniversary of her mother’s death. Babushka’s Remembrance was being held at the Russian Orthodox Church in Dandenong. If you have had the fortune to attend a service in an Orthodox Church, you will know that these particular houses of God are rich in religious relics, icons, with the constant scent of burning incense. One could say that they haven’t really changed since the Middle Ages. Finishing my cooking around eight, we headed off to the Remembrance.
It should be stated first that, for many years, the Archangel Michael has, in numerous ways, always been close to my heart. This is difficult to explain. In other terms, his presence, his image has always held a strong intuitive significance in my life. For example, in my study at home, I have a painting of the Archangel by the Renaissance artist, Raphael. This ‘presence’ that I have come to know as Michael, has moved in and out of my awareness for many years.
While at the church service, standing in the back facing the altar, behind me was a collection of icons on display. Icons are usually small religious medieval paintings of Jesus, the Virgin Mary, angels or saints, framed in gold or wood. They are considered to be exceptionally holy in the Orthodox Church. As these icons were too far away to distinguish their subject, the actual image, to really select one of a personal nature, was impossible; they were just too far away. My thought was to purchase one of the Icons. A much closer look would have been required. However, one particular icon, the one placed on the second shelf on the right, caught my eye. I recognized the colours – red, gold and blue.
Suddenly a strange feeling came over me as the congregation moved towards the priest to receive Holy Communion. It was that intense feeling of being stared at from across the room. I quickly looked around to find this wasn’t the case; there was no sudden movement or someone covertly averting their gaze. This feeling was undeniable and continued throughout Holy Communion. Minutes passed and the feeling continued, growing in intensity, as I kept turning around in the direction of the icons at the back of the church - particularly the one of red, gold and blue. All at once it dawned on me that this single icon was indeed the image of the Archangel Michael.
The service finally ended and I told my friend that I wanted to purchase the icon.
I asked Wally, my once father-in-law, a devout Christian and good man, if it was possible to purchase the icon. He quickly escorted me over to the shelves. I pointed the icon out to him and said,
“Is that St. Michael the Archangel?”
He looked at me and said that he was…” probably Gabriel or somebody.” On top of the icon was something written in Russian. I asked Wally to read the inscription. He moved behind the counter, craned his neck, adjusted his glasses, turned around and said,
“My goodness, you’re right, it is Michael!” He looked surprised.
I then told him that I had the distinct impression he had been staring at me throughout the entire service, and for me, it didn’t seem like a very good sign.
“No”, Wally said, “He’s just looking out for you.”
I then excitedly asked if I could purchase the icon. I was concerned however, because the church did not have credit card facilities, and I didn’t know how much cash could be in my wallet.
Wally then asked an elder of the congregation how much the icon would be. The old man picked it up, turned it around and said, “Thirty dollars.”
I reached for my wallet to find exactly thirty dollar – no more and no less!
Needless to say, this added coincidence only added to the mysteriousness of the experience.
After purchasing the relic, I looked around the grand church to find Michael depicted everywhere! Above the altar, next to the baptismal, on the ceiling, everywhere, always at the right hand side of the Lord. The angel made his presence known, but he was always there, right before my eyes, I just couldn’t see it. My awareness had changed.
I left the church with the icon tucked firmly under my arm and would never forget this numinous experience.
Vadim aka Wally, a Russian immigrant to Australia after WW2, is most likely, the most spiritual, gregarious and KIND man I have ever had the opportunity to meet.
He passed on last year, and will always be missed.
This one's for you, good friend.
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